“I love you, too.”

Those were the last words of former president George H.W. Bush (called ’41’), who died this past Friday night in Houston, Texas at the towering age of 94. In that final moment, he was responding to his son, former president George W. Bush.

Signing up to serve during World War II on his 18th birthday proved to be his story’s beginning. It’s astonishing, as well as a bit overwhelming, to recap Mr. Bush’s life of public service that led him through World War II to the halls of Congress to the secrecy of the CIA to the vice presidency and, ultimately, to the presidency. And we can’t forget that he was the father to a governor of a major state and a president (’43’), adding his duties and influence as Bush family patriarch that extended beyond his immediate family into our national political family for many years.

The man referred to as 41 was honored today in the U.S. Capitol rotunda as he will lie in state for 41 hours before a funeral service on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Mr. Bush’s final resting place will be in Texas.

For your resolute service to our country–which fittingly led you to preside behind the Resolute Desk–Americans love you, too, Mr. President.

RIP George H.W. Bush. 

P.S. On a lighter yet still appropriate note, my socks this week will be red, white and blue.