Bush Presidential Library filled with respect for Barbara Bush

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The imagery at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station on Wednesday was moving.

The bouquets and children’s books left near the entrance were symbolic of loss but also a testament to former first lady Barbara Bush.

Her spirit is the reason Alex Stroman from Washington, D.C., in College Station for work, made it his business to pay his respects.

"When we decided that we were in the area, we wanted to come here and pay tribute to her service to her family and her service to our country," he said.

Even those who never saw her in office, like fourth-grader Kamari Williams, were cognizant of what she stood for.

"She gave back to children who needed help reading and tutoring," she said.

Throughout College Station and the A&M campus, there was a widespread sense that the day was about honoring Bush.

That's why Patrick Gaume, a medical sergeant deployed twice to Afghanistan as a member of the Army’s 82nd
Airborne Divison, was told by a professor that class could wait Wednesday.

He shared with Channel 2 how much impact Tuesday night’s news had for him as a member of the Corps of Cadets.

“Well sir, it's hard to put into words sir, there is definitely a feeling of loss and it’s unfortunate. But, at the same time, we can all look back and say she lived a life worth living," Gaume said.

While some shared their thoughts with a higher power through prayer near a makeshift memorial, Angela Braun talked about what the day meant for her.

“As an American, I think I came to the library on a day, on the most appropriate day to come and pay tribute for such a wonderful woman that did so much for so many," she said.

Warren Finch was pleased to see the turnout.

Unlike most, Finch has seen the former first lady quite often. He has good reason to, since he has been the director of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum for the last 14 years.

“They have an apartment across the plaza. They were here a lot and often and usually the telltale sign was the dogs,” Finch said.

The Bushes last visit was nearly six weeks ago. What Finch remembers most is the way Barbra Bush could make others smile.

“Mrs. Bush has a great sense of humor; she would often catch you off-guard with it, so momentarily you would have to decide if she was being serious or telling you a joke and then she would kind of crack a smile at you so you would know that she was kidding with you,” Finch said.

The museum anticipates visitors from around the nation and elsewhere over the next two days. They also are anticipating a media turnout of more than 300 journalists.

Finch said Saturday will be a private occasion at the museum. The way Barbara Bush intended for it to be.

“We don’t expect anybody here except her immediate family here on Saturday,” he said.

Symbolism of gates on grounds of Bush Library

Behind the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum sits a beautiful pond.

The grounds that surround it are currently blooming with color. However, it is in the far corner, where a set of gates reside. These are the gates are preparing to welcome former First Lady Barbara Bush.

“I think she is going to be buried there," said Lydia, a young girl visiting the museum grounds for the first time.

Her little brother George then chimed in, “Pretty beautiful.”

The siblings came to walk these grounds Wednesday evening because their mother, Claire Cunningham felt compelled to do, even while on vacation.

“We’re visiting from Charlotte, North Carolina and as the events unfolded we decided that it was imperative that we come to pay our respects to the Bush family,” Cunningham said.

The gates impactful not only for visitors but also for the students who are there daily at The Bush School.

“Those gates are the Bush family’s immortalization at this school, everything they’ve done for me, my education,” Conrad Hauc said.

Hauc left flowers at the steps of the statue of the 41st president as a tribute to the former first lady.

“My only interaction with her ever actually was helping her out of her wheelchair and it was a really good moment, because she couldn’t stop herself from thanking me. She was always smiling, she would put a smile on anyone’s face, so for me to have that only interaction with her, that’s pretty special for me,” Huac said.


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