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Former President George H.W. Bush Will Lie in State in U.S. Capitol

As Americans mourn the passing of former President George H.W. Bush, he will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Those wishing to pay their respects can do so beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday through 7:00 a.m. Wednesday. Details including street closings can be found here [1].

The 41st U.S. President (1989-93) died Friday at the age of 94 [2]. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara, who passed away in April. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam directed state flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days.

On Monday Air Force One will carry President Bush’s body from Texas to D.C. for the state funeral. After lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda, the service with family and dignitaries will be held at Washington National Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

The body will then be flown to Texas where it will lie in state at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, where the President and First Lady were members for over 40 years, from 7:45 p.m. Wednesday until 7:00 a.m. Thursday. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the church.

After services a motorcade will transport the casket to Union Pacific Railroad where it will be transported to College Station, Texas, where a motorcade procession will carry President Bush’s remains to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University.  Arrival is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. with a ceremony followed by the interment at 5:15.

The President will be laid to rest beside his wife and their daughter Robin who died of leukemia at the age of three.

Here is the timeline of services [3] for President Bush over the next four days:
  • Monday at 11:30 a.m. ET – Departure ceremony at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.
  • Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET – Arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
  • Monday at 4:45 p.m. ET – Arrival ceremony at U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
  • Monday at 5 p.m. ET – After a brief ceremony, Bush’s body will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol from Monday at 7:30 p.m. until Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. with a guard of honor in attendance.
  • Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET – Departure ceremony at U.S. Capitol.
  • Wednesday 11 a.m. ET – Arrival and funeral at Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
  • Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. ET – Departure ceremony at Washington National Cathedral.
  • Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. ET – Departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. Bush’s remains will depart Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, to be flown to Ellington Field.
  • Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. ET – Arrival ceremony at Ellington Field.
  • Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. ET – Arrival ceremony at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas.
  • Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. ET – Bush’s remains will lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church until Thursday at 7 a.m. with a guard of honor in attendance.
  • Thursday, 11 a.m. ET – Funeral service at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
  • Thursday at 12:15 p.m. ET – Departure ceremony at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
  • Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET – Bush’s remains will depart St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and be transported by motorcade to Union Pacific Railroad Westfield Auto Facility. From there, Bush’s remains will be transported by funeral car train to College Station, Texas.
  • Thursday at 4:45 p.m. ET – Arrival ceremony at Texas A&M University.
  • Thursday at 5:15 p.m. ET – Arrival and interment at George Bush Presidential Library & Museum, College Station, Texas. 

“No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others.” –President George H.W. Bush

Cover photo: President George H.W. Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush with Millie, their English Springer Spaniel. Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian | White House Photo Office