Carriers Bush and Washington honor former first lady
By Mark D. Faram
Former First Lady Barbra Bush looks at a display in the museum aboard the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush during a visit to the ship. (MC1 Demetrius Patton/Navy)
Two of the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers are feeling the April 17 loss of former First Lady Barbara Bush, who was quite involved with both the aircraft carrier George Washington and the ship named for her husband, the George H.W. Bush.
On July 21, 1990, she broke a ceremonial bottle of champagne over the bow of the George Washington as the ship’s sponsor.
Naval Air Forces Atlantic announced April 18 that the flags of both vessels have been taken to half-mast and will remain so until Mrs. Bush is laid to rest. Both flags will then be presented to the Bush family.
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Newport News, Va. (July 21, 1990) -- Then First Lady Barbara Bush prepares to break the ceremonial bottle of champagne across the bow of the aircraft carrier George Washington at that ship's christening ceremony, July 21, 1990 in Newport News, Va. (US Navy)
Norfolk Naval Station, Va. (July 4, 1992) -- Former First Lady Barbara Bush as the ship's sponsor of the aircraft carrier George Washington speaks at the commissioning of the ship at Norfolk Naval Station, July 4, 1992. (US Navy)
Newport News, Virginia - (July 8, 2006) George and Barbara Bush watch as the ship’s island is lowered into place on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush at Newport News Shipyard on July 8, 2006. (photo by Harold J. Gereiwn)
Newport News, Va. (Aug. 26, 2003) -- President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush share applause with Adm. Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations, as they watch the Navy's parachute team "The Leapfrogs" perform during a keel laying ceremony honoring the building of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). This will be the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier as it undergoes the first of four ceremonial traditions that will happen throughout the life of the warship. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera. (RELEASED).
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 14, 2010) Former First Lady Barbara Bush is greeted by Capt. Chip Miller, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, spent their time aboard watching flight operations, touring the ship and visiting the crew. George H.W. Bush is conducting training in the Atlantic Ocean. (photo by MC3 Nicholas Hall/Navy)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 15, 2010) Command Chaplain Cmdr. Cameron Fish and former First Lady Barbara Bush tour the ship's library aboard the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush. The library is dedicated to the former president's daughter, Doro, who is also the ship's sponsor. (photo by MC2 Nathan A. Bailey/Navy)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 15, 2010) Former First Lady Barbara Bush signs the guest book aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush while Lt. Cmdr. Virginia Schmied looks on. (photo by MCSN Sandi L. Grimnes/Navy)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 14, 2010) Former President George H.W. Bush watches flight operations from the landing signal officer's platform aboard the aircraft carrier that bears his name, USS George H.W. Bush (photo by MC3 Nicholas Hall/Navy)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 10, 2012) Former first lady Barbara Bush at a promotion and reenlistment ceremony in the ship's hangar bay of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, during a scheduled underway training evolution. (photo by MC2 Maria Rachel D. Melchor/Navy)
“Her legacy will be long remembered by those who have served and will serve aboard USS George Washington,” the announcement said. “We will always remember her with the honor and distinction that her life’s service to our country embodied.”
George and Barbara’s daughter, Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch, was the sponsor of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, but the entire family was involved during its construction, at the 2009 commissioning ceremony and beyond.
“Today we join the world in mourning the passing of a truly remarkable person, Mrs. Barbara Bush,” Capt. Sean Bailey, commanding officer of the carrier Bush, said in the release. “A strong and compassionate First Lady, a devoted matriarch and champion of literacy, she graced our deckplates on multiple occasions and treated all who served aboard USS George H. W. Bush like her own family.
China's aircraft carrier ambitions demonstrate the continuing importance of the mammoth ships in the western Pacific, a senior U.S. Navy officer said Monday, as America's Japan-based carrier began a long journey home.
“As we reflect on her inspirational life and many achievements, we endeavor to proudly carry her legacy and her enduring example of devotion to family aboard our ship. She will be truly missed.”
The carrier Bush’s first commanding officer to take the ship to sea in 2009, Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller, maintained a close relationship with both the former president and first lady.
The now-commander of Naval Air Forces recalled the family fondly in the press release.
“For those of us who have had the privilege of serving onboard the ship that bears her husband’s name – Mrs. Bush was a source of inspiration,” Miller said. “She impacted lives around the world through her advocacy of literacy and she impacted the lives of USS George H.W. Bush Sailors and their families in much the same way.
The aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush returned today from a 212-day deployment to 5th and 6th Fleets where the ship spent 99-days carrying out strikes against ISIS, racking up the most ordnance dropped on an enemy by one carrier and air wing team since Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
By Mark D. Faram
“Her sharp wit, humor and sincere love for those who served on her ‘favorite’ ship was clearly apparent ... During one at-sea period, I’ll never forget her donning a chef’s hat and handing out cookies, with a big smile and kind message to each sailor she met.”
About Mark D. Faram
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
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