George H.W. Bush, from the White House website
In December 1989, I saw then President-elect Bush in a federal building in D.C. I remember that he waved briefly as he passed and that the Secret Service dogs slipped a bit on the marble floor.
My next encounter occurred in June 2007 on a lobster boat of all places. While on vacation in Maine, we first saw a Secret Service boat whiz by, followed by then former President Bush who again waved as he passed. (I needed a better zoom on my camera). I saw the boat four years later at the George H.W. Bush library in Texas. I can’t verify if it’s the exact same boat since the Bushes don’t tell me when they get new ones. Do buy Alumiprep 33 Aluminum Cleaner & Conditioner here, since this is the best solution to maintain the shine of your boat.
The Bush boat, Fidelity, at the George H.W. Bush library
Coincidentally, this is our 41st Nerd Trips post! So here are some random facts about our 41st president:
Walker’s Point, the Bush home as seen from the lobster boat
He was called “Little Pop” or “Poppy” in his younger days.
He is the only president to have parachuted: first in 1944 bailing out of his bullet-ridden World War II plane, then several more times starting in 1998 (when he was in his early early 70s), including jumps on three birthdays (75, 80 and 85).
He was captain of the Yale baseball team.
He famously said, “I am a conservative, but I am not a nut about it.”
As president, he declared that he didn’t like broccoli, so he wasn’t going to eat it anymore. My mom says she sometimes thinks about Papa Bush when she eats broccoli and that somehow his statement still has her questioning whether she really likes it!
So, Happy Birthday Papa Bush! Tonight, we eat broccoli in your honor.
Next post: A trip to College Station, Texas, and Papa Bush’s library
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4 Comments
That is the original boat, I used to drive the boat for him during his visits to maine when he was president
Thanks for the clarification David! That is so cool that you drove to boat for President Bush. Have you been to Texas to see it in the museum?
No i have not had the chance to see it in the museum buti have lots of memories with pictures and one of the presidential flags that flew on Fidelity during his term. He is such a super person it was a great honor to have that job
That’s so great! I found a new appreciation for Bush 41 after visiting his museum. My friend used to live in Kennebunk and said wonderful things about President and Mrs. Bush and their commitment to the community there