Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday praised the late President George H. W. Bush in a statement, lauding the former commander in chief as a lifelong\u2026<\/b>
\nVice President Mike Pence on Saturday praised the late President George H. W. Bush in a statement, lauding the former commander in chief as a lifelong servant to the country.
\u201cKaren and I were saddened to learn of the passing of President George H. W. Bush and we send our deepest sympathies to the entire Bush family,\u00a0\u00bb Pence wrote. \u00ab\u00a0President Bush loved his family, loved this country and his legacy will be a lifetime of service to the United States of America.\u201d
\u201cBeginning with his service as a Naval Aviator in WWII, where he flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific, George H. W. Bush always answered the call to serve America,\u00a0\u00bb he continued. Bush enlisted in the Navy shortly after the U. S. entered World War II, becoming its youngest pilot.
\u00ab\u00a0His years in Congress, as a diplomat, CIA Director and Vice President of the United States were characterized by modesty, integrity, and patriotism,\u00a0\u00bb Pence added. \u00ab\u00a0His years as the 41st President of the United States left America and the world more peaceful, prosperous and secure.\u00a0\u00bb
Bush’s family announced the former president’s death on Friday in a statement released by his son, former President George W. Bush. No cause of death has been given. He was 94 years old.
George H. W. Bush served two years in the House of Representatives and was appointed U. S. ambassador to the United Nations by former President Nixon.
During the Cold War, he served as vice president to Ronald Reagan before mounting a successful bid for the presidency over Democratic opponent Michael Dukakis in 1988.
He was defeated by Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential race, but the two went on to develop a close and respectful relationship into Clinton’s administration.<\/p>\n