The nation honors President George H.W. Bush

We’re wrapping up our live coverage, but if you’re looking for more on former President George H.W. Bush’s memorial services, you can…

Former President George H.W. Bush will be laid to rest on the grounds of the Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, this evening.

The site is a poignant one: It’s also where Bush’s wife Barbara, who died in April, and their daughter Robin, who died of leukemia as a child, are buried.

The funeral train carrying George H.W. Bush’s casket – a special locomotive dubbed the “Bush 4141” – just arrived at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

The Bush family just got off the train, and we’re new waiting for the arrival ceremony to start.

About 700 to 800 people expected to be in attendance. Guests include students, volunteers and singing cadets, and staff from the Bush Foundation Staff and the Bush Presidential Library and Museum, where he will be interred in a private burial ceremony.

Watch the arrival here:

United Airlines posted a photo of a memorial to honor the late former President George H.W. Bush.

The memorial to the 41st president is located in Gate 41 at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.

The airline wrote on Instagram:

“Today and tomorrow, in remembrance, we have closed Gate C41 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. We salute the life and legacy of President George H.W. Bush. For all he did for Houston, his home and that of our United family at the airport that bears his name, we will forever be grateful. #Bush41” 

Take a look at the image:

George W. Bush posted an Instagram photo Thursday afternoon, looking out a train window at the crowds gathered to say a final goodbye to his father, George H.W. Bush.

The 41st president’s casket is currently on a train bound for the Bush Presidential Library and Museum, where he’ll be buried.

Here’s the image:

George H.W. Bush’s spokesperson, Jim McGrath, also tweeted images from aboard the train, including pictures of the casket and massive crowds outside.

Former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral train is currently on a 70-mile journey to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

The campus is the site of the Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The former president will be laid to rest on the museum’s grounds, alongside his wife Barbara and their daughter Robin, who died of leukemia as a child.

There’s an arrival ceremony scheduled at Texas A&M University at 4:45 p.m. ET, just as Bush’s train arrives.

There will then be another ceremony and the interment at 5:15 p.m. ET at the library.

As George H.W. Bush’s funeral train — a special locomotive dubbed the “Bush 4141” — made its way to the Bush Presidential Library and Museum, crowds gathered beside the tracks to honor the 41st president.

The window drape has been removed from the train car carrying Bush’s body, giving onlookers a clear view of the flag-draped casket.

It’s a rainy day in the area. Undeterred, lines of people along the railroad waited for the train to pass by to say their final goodbyes.

Watch people wave to Bush’s train:

President George H.W. Bush is on his way to his final resting place. His casket was just loaded onto the a Union Pacific train led by a locomotive dubbed the “Bush 4141” — a train that was built to honor the President’s life.

The funeral train will embark on a 70-mile route, taking Bush from Spring, Texas, to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, the site of the Bush Presidential Library and Museum. 

Bush will be laid to rest at the library, where both former first lady Barbara Bush and their late daughter Robin are buried.

The Bush 4141 was commissioned to honor the former president in 2005. It’s painted to resemble Air Force One with a white body, a presidential seal and and long vertical bars of blue.

Watch below:

Former President George H.W. Bush’s casket was just taken out of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston following his funeral.

“Hail to the Chief” played as it was first carried out. The casket was then carried through an honor cordon to the hearse as the band played the hymn “Praise Ye the Lord.”

The casket will now be taken to a train specifically built to honor his life, which will carry him to his final resting place.

A Union Pacific train led by a locomotive dubbed the “Bush 4141” will carry Bush’s casket to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

This isn’t an ordinary train: The Bush 4141 is a rare locomotive that was commissioned to honor the former president in 2005. It’s one of only a handful of Union Pacific trains to bear a color scheme other than the company’s traditional gray and yellow: It’s painted to resemble Air Force One.

Watch below:

Country music star Reba McEntire just gave a vocal performance “The Lord’s Prayer” during George H.W. Bush’s funeral in Texas.

Bush’s son George W. Bush was seen wiping his face with a handkerchief after the performance.

Watch below:

The Oak Ridge Boys, a country and gospel vocal quartet that has performed for H.W. Bush for decades, are serenading him one last time.

“We’re here, sir. We told you we would be. And it’s an honor,” one of the members said as the group came up to the front of the church.

The Oak Ridge Boys said they first performed for Bush in 1983, when he was vice president.

“He said, ‘Fellas’ — he always called us fellas — ‘Will you sing me a few songs? I’m a big fan.’”

The group then sang “Amazing Grace.”

Watch the moment below:

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, H.W. Bush’s oldest grandson, eulogized the man he called “Gampy.”

He remembered how the former President would challenge his grandkids to “the coveted first to sleep award” and wrote them all letters of encouragement when they could use some words of wisdom.

One summer, after he left public service, the elder Bush wrote an email to his grand children. In it, he wrote that “the only thing wrong with the last five months is that none of you were here enough,” George P. Bush said.

Then, he read part of the email:

“Next year, promise this old gampster you’ll spend more time with us here by the sea. As you know, I had to give up fly fishing off the rocks in Maine. But there are plenty of wonderful things to do. I think of you all an awful lot. I just wonder how each of you is doing in school and in life. If you need me, I’m here for you because I love you very much.”

Watch more:

Former Secretary of State James Baker, a close friend of George H.W. Bush, is giving the first eulogy at his Texas funeral.

Baker, who described his relationship with Bush as “one of big brother and little brother,” called the former president “one of our nation’s finest presidents.”

“And beyond any doubt, our nation’s very best one-term president,” Baker added.

Baker continued:

Watch: Baker looks back on his relationship with Bush

The Oak Ridge Boys, a country and gospel vocal quartet, just arrived at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, for former president George H.W. Bush’s funeral. The group is expected to perform at the service.

The former president was a fan of the group: In 2012, they performed for him while he was hospitalized.

Watch: Behind Bush’s relationship with the Oak Ridge Boys

Today’s funeral for former President George H.W. Bush is being held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston.

Houston has been the Bushes home for years since he left the presidency, and they have worshipped at the church for decades.

The church was also the funeral site for his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, earlier this year.

Former President George H.W. Bush will be remembered at a service at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston this morning.

There will be at least two eulogies at today’s funeral, delivered by…

Yesterday, at a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, four people gave eulogies for the former President:

After former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral in Houston, Texas today, he’ll take a train that that was specifically built to honor his life to his final resting place.

A Union Pacific train led by a locomotive dubbed the “Bush 4141” will carry Bush’s casket to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

This isn’t an ordinary train: The Bush 4141 is a rare locomotive that was commissioned to honor the former president in 2005.

It’s one of only a handful of Union Pacific trains to bear a color scheme other than the company’s traditional gray and yellow: It’s painted to resemble Air Force One with a white body, a presidential seal and and long vertical bars of blue.

Watch: The significance of the train explained

Former President George H.W. Bush’s body has been lying in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas since yesterday.

Here’s how today’s services will unfold:

The last will and testament of George H.W. Bush filed in probate court in Harris County names two of his sons — George W. and Jeb Bush — as the co-executors of his estate.

The will, dated April 16, 2009, first listed his late wife Barbara Bush as the independent executrix. George W. and Jeb were named independent co-executors in the event of her passing before him.

The presidential hearse carrying President George H.W. Bush just arrived at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas.

He will lie in repose at the church from 6:45 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. central time Thursday.

A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. central time.

Watch the arrival to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church here:

President historian Jon Meacham had read the eulogy he delivered today at the state funeral to George H.W. Bush before he passed away, a source with knowledge told CNN.

Meacham, Bush’s biographer, told the assembled family, friends and dignitaries of Bush’s life code: “Tell the truth. Don’t blame people. Be strong. Do your best. Try hard. Forgive. Stay the course.”

Meacham called it “the most American of creeds.”

Bush, Meacham said, had a lasting impact.

The presidential plane carrying former President George H.W. Bush just landed at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston.

About 300 people gathered at the airport to welcome Bush home, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer reported. After the casket was carried from the plane, the arrival ceremony commenced, with honors such as “Four Ruffles and Flourishes,” “Hail to the Chief,” and a simultaneous 21-gun salute.

Before touching down, the presidential plane conducted a tribute flight over the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center on the campus of Texas A&M University.

After the arrival ceremony, the casket was carried to a presidential hearse.

The hearse is now on its way to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, where he will lie in repose from 6:45 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. central time Thursday.

Watch the ceremony here:

Texas A&M University student Angel Madison Franco took this video of “Special Air Mission 41,” the plane carrying former President George H.W. Bush’s casket, as it flew over the campus this afternoon.

The presidential plane was conducting a tribute flight over the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center on campus.

Watch the video below:

A presidential aircraft carrying George H.W Bush’s casket is on its way to Texas right now.

The plane will land at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston this evening.

About 300 people — including athletes from the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets, and representatives from MD Anderson Cancer Center and George Bush High School — will be at the airport to welcome Bush home, CNN’s Anderson Cooper reported.

Bush’s body will lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, from 6:45 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. central time the following day.

A presidential plane carrying former President George H.W. Bush’s casket just departed from Joint Base Andrews.

The plane — named “Special Air Mission 41” just for this mission — is on its way to Texas. Bush’s casket will fly in the staff cabin, with the seats removed, for the family to pay final respects during three-hour flight.

There will be another funeral for Bush in Houston tomorrow before he is interred at the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum.

Watch the plane leave:

Now that the state funeral for George H.W. Bush has wrapped up at the Washington National Cathedral, the former president’s body will be flown back to Texas.

Bush’s body is set to arrive at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, this evening. He’ll lie in repose at the church overnight, until 7 a.m. ET Thursday.

Thursday, December 6

A second funeral service is scheduled for tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET at the church. Bush’s grandson, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, and his close friend, former Secretary of State James Baker, will deliver eulogies at that service.

After that, Bush’s body is scheduled to arrive at Texas A&M University before he is interred at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. Both former first lady Barbara Bush and their late daughter Robin are buried at the library.

Former President George W. Bush just delivered the final eulogy at his father’s state funeral, describing him as “close to perfect.”

The 43rd president said his father, the 41st president, taught him how to lead.

“He showed me what it means to be a president who serves with integrity, leads with courage and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country,” Bush said. “When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great president of the United States.”

Bush’s eulogy ended on an emotional note. Concluding his remarks, he added through tears: “Your decency, sincerity and kind soul will stay with us forever. So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man. The best father a son or daughter could have.”

Watch: George W. Bush chokes up delivering father’s eulogy

Former Sen. Alan Simpson, a friend of George H.W. Bush, said the former president’s tombstone only needs a single letter.

“His epitaph, perhaps just a single letter: The letter ‘L’ for loyalty,” Simpson said in his eulogy for Bush. “It coursed through his blood. Loyalty to his country, loyalty to his family, loyalty to his friends, loyalty to the institutions of government.”

Simpson called Bush “the most decent and honorable person” he ever met.

“None of us were ready for this day. We mourn his loss from our own lives and what he was to each of us,” he said.

Watch the moment below:

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney remembered George H.W. Bush’s love for his family and surroundings in his eulogy today.

Mulroney recalled a private conversation with Bush on a Labor Day weekend at Walker’s Point in Maine in 2001. During the conversation, he said Bush was overcome with emotion as Mulroney reflected on their lives over the years.

He took notes of the moment. Here’s what he remembers:

“I told George how I thought his mood had shifted over the last eight years from a series of frustrations and moments of despondency in 1993 to the high enthusiasm that I felt at the Houston launch of the presidential library, and George W.’s election as governor in November of that year, to the delight following Jeb’s election in 1998, followed by their great pride and pleasure with George W.’s election to the presidency. And perhaps most importantly to the serenity we found today in both Barbara and George. They are truly at peace with themselves, joyous in what they and the children have achieved, gratified by the goodness that god has bestowed upon them all, and genuinely content with the thrill and promise of each passing day.”

After listening to Mulroney, Bush told him, “Brian, you’ve got us pegged just right.” He then led Mulroney to a plaque on the property that read: “CAVU.”

Mulroney said Bush then told him, “Brian, this stands for ceiling and visibility unlimited when I was a terrified 18- to 19-year-old pilot in the Pacific, those, those were the words we hoped to hear before takeoff. It meant perfect flying. And that’s the way I feel about our life today, CAVU. Everything is perfect. Barbara and I could not have asked for better lives. We are truly happy and truly at peace.”

Watch: Former Canadian Prime Minister on Bush’s place in history

Presidential historian Jon Meacham just gave his tribute to former President George H.W. Bush, telling the assembled family, friends and dignitaries of Bush’s life code:

Meacham called it “the most American of creeds.”

Bush, Meacham said, had a lasting impact.

He “made our lives and the lives of nations freer, better, warmer and nobler. That was his mission. That was his heart beat. And if we listen closely enough, we can hear that heartbeat even now, for it’s the heartbeat of a lion, a lion who not only led us, but who loved us.”

Watch: Presidential historian Jon Meacham remembers Bush

Before the funeral for former President George H.W Bush began, his son George W. Bush was spotted handing former first lady Michelle Obama a small item.

We’re not exactly sure what was exchanged — perhaps a piece of candy or a cough drop — but the moment was reminiscent of one they shared at the late Sen. John McCain’s funeral earlier this year. Their smiles suggest the Obamas appeared to recognize the nod.

During that September service, Bush was spotted handing a cough drop to the former first lady, who softly thanked him.

The former first lady and the 43rd president are often photographed together during formal events. When Obama embraced Bush at the opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016, the photo of their warm interaction went viral.

Watch the moment from today below:

Michael Curry, the presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, just spoke as the casket of former President George H.W. Bush arrived at the Washington National Cathedral.

If he looks familiar, it’s because he also spoke at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle back in may. He gave an passionate address that quoted Martin Luther King Jr. 

Watch: Bishop Michael Curry speaks as the casket arrives

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump have arrived at the Washington National Cathedral for former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral. They’re sitting next to former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, who greeted them with handshakes when they arrived.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are also in the row. They did not acknowledge the President.

Former President Jimmy Carter is also seated nearby.

Watch the moment:

The 89th Airlift Wing will conduct a tribute flight over President George H.W. Bush’s final resting place in College Station, Texas, at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday.

“When the President of the United States is onboard the VC-25A, it is commonly referred to as ‘Air Force One.’ For the mission supporting the State Funeral, the aircraft call sign is Special Airlift Mission 41, in honor of the former President of the United States,” the Joint Base Andrews-based unit said in a statement.

Bush’s body is set to arrive at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, by Wednesday evening, where it will lie in repose from 6:45 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. central time the following day.

Vice President Mike Pence just greeted former first daughter Chelsea Clinton at the Washington National Cathedral ahead of former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral.

Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama was seen speaking to Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy.

All four former presidents — Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter — are expected to attend the funeral.

Watch the moment:

In the cavernous sanctuary of the National Cathedral on Wednesday, President Trump will come face-to-face for the first time with his four living predecessors, an encounter occasioned only by a loss to the most exclusive club in American politics – indeed, in the world.

Trump’s election, which came after he demeaned and humiliated the family members of three ex-presidents and made racist insinuations about his predecessor, has shaken the traditional fraternity of past and current commanders in chief.

He has, until now, avoided any encounters with the collected group, and hasn’t spoken at all with three of them. He has neither consulted them on issues nor avoided overt criticism of their presidencies, breaking tradition on matters large and small.

For the time he is inside the Cathedral on Wednesday morning, those hurtful slights are likely to remain unmentioned. But few believe the death of President George H.W. Bush will lead to new camaraderie between Trump and the men who served before him. 

The presidents club, by nature, is complicated by past rivalries and future legacies. Yet regardless of party, the members – so far, all men – are bound by their singular experience of serving in the Oval Office.

It’s impossible to know, at this stage of his presidency, what Trump’s ultimate role in the club will be. But he enters the group carrying a long record of dismissive, vitriolic criticism extending well beyond partisan politics.

Keep reading CNN’s Kevin Liptak and Jeff Zeleny on this most exclusive club of competitors

Former President George H.W. Bush has been lying in state at the US Capitol since Monday. His casket is now being taken to the Washington National Cathedral for an 11 a.m. ET funeral.

Bush’s casket was taken out of the Capitol’s Rotunda this morning as “Hail to the Chief” played. A 21-gun salute with cannons also honored the late President.

Bush’s family — including his son former President George W. Bush — solemnly looked on as the casket was led down the Capitol steps and placed into a hearse.

Watch the moment:

Former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET, after an hour of arrivals and a 21-gun salute with cannons.

There will be four eulogies, two readings and plenty of music.

Here’s the full program:

There’s about 3,000 people inside Washington National Cathedral ahead of the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush, a spokesman for the cathedral said.

The service is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET. It will include four eulogies — including one from Bush’s son former President George W. Bush — readings and choir performances.

Former President George H.W. Bush’s state funeral will be held today at the Washington National Cathedral.

Bush has been lying in state at the US Capitol building. A departure ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. ET, and a motorcade will travel through northwest Washington to the National Cathedral.

The invitation-only service at the cathedral is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET. Those close the President will deliver eulogies at the service. They are…

After the service, another departure ceremony is scheduled to take place at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at 1:15 p.m. ET.

Former President George H.W. Bush was briefed 2011 about his eventual state funeral and the process of lying in state, Jim McGrath, Bush’s spokesman, said.

The former President’s response was full of humility: “Do you think anyone will come?”

Bush has been lying in state at the US Capitol since Monday. Members of the public lined up for hours to pay their respects to the former President.

A reporter for CNN affiliate WJLA tweeted video showing the massive line:

Bush family members, his former political and government colleagues and his service dog, Sully, all visited. Former Sen. Bob Dole was even helped out of his wheelchair to salute the casket.

President Trump, every living former president and more than a dozen former and current world leaders will all be at his state funeral.

President Trump tweeted ahead of George H.W. Bush’s state funeral this morning that he was looking forward to spending time with the Bushes, and proclaimed today to be a “celebration for a great man.”

His tweet continues the gracious and reverent demeanor that the President’s shown all week, which included traveling late Monday to view Bush’s casket lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda and paying a call to Blair House, where the Bush family is staying, on Tuesday.

Tensions between Trump and the Bush family largely dissipated after Barbara Bush died earlier this year, when the Bush family reached out to the White House to inform Trump the state funeral for Bush would be different than hers (the President was not invited). The former president wanted the current occupant of the office to attend, two people familiar with the conversations said.

It was less of an olive branch than a sign of the former president’s penchant for protocol, a Bush family friend said. The decision also meant that the week of Bush’s death would be devoted to a celebration of his life and service, not a messy public feud with Trump.

US financial markets are due to close on Wednesday a national day of mourning as former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral goes on in Washington, DC. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will both suspend trading for the day.

The US Postal Service will also “suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity.”

President Trump issued an executive order closing the federal government in honor of former President George H.W. Bush’s passing.

A memorandum from the Office of Personnel Management on Sunday outlined how federal agencies would implement the holiday.

Former President George H.W. Bush will be honored with a state funeral in Washington, DC, Wednesday.

Both President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend the service at Washington National Cathedral, the White House said.

These former presidents and first ladies are also expected to attend:

And these world leaders will also be there:

Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush paid their respects to his late father, George H.W. Bush, who is lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda.

After standing in front of his father’s casket, he walked over to a line of visitors and hugged and greeted them.

His daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, and his brother Jeb Bush also paid their respects.

Watch the moment:

CNN’s Kaylee Hartung’s reporting and personal life collided in an unexpected way – a letter from George H.W. Bush to her late father.

In the wake of Bush’s passing, countless stories have emerged of treasured letters sent by the former President and the lasting impact his words have had on the recipients.

She heard some of the stories of his famed letters, and told a few anecdotes on air. Hartung knew of Bush’s penchant to pen such letters, but she didn’t really remember why she knew that. But a text message from her mother, Julie, while she was between liveshots brought it all back. Her dad had received a letter too.

He received the letter after he performed in New Orleans with George H.W. Bush in the crowd in August 1988.

Written on White House stationary, the April 1989 letter was accompanied by a signed picture of Bush in his bomber jacket.

The President wrote:

“When you fly these planes, you put on an exhilarating show and you provide a powerful reminder of the tremendous sacrifices so many men made to keep America free and of the duty we each have to ensure those sacrifices were not in vain. That’s a worthy achievement indeed, and you can take great pride in your efforts.”

Read the rest of Bush’s letter here:

Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on Tuesday extended condolences to the Bush family at Blair House over the passing of former President George H.W. Bush, the Royal Hashemite Court said in a statement.

They also signed a condolence book, according to the statement.

King Abdullah, accompanied by Queen Rania, departed on Monday for Washington, DC, to attend the state funeral of former president.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Blair House on Tuesday afternoon, where they were greeted by former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush.

They exchanged greetings handshakes and hugs before entering the residence, a government house across the street from the White House, for the private meetings.

The Trumps were at Blair House for 23 minutes.

US “Flag Code” dictates that the flag be flown at half-staff for 30 days following the death of a president or former president, meaning with President George H.W. Bush’s passing, it will remain lowered for the longest period of time since President Gerald Ford died in December 2006:

The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the president or a former president; 10 days from the day of death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States, or the speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president, or the governor of a state, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a member of Congress.

First lady Melania Trump hosted a tour for about 20 members of the Bush family, a White House official told CNN on background.

However, she also “wanted to allow for the Bush family to have time at the White House together,” so she did not stay the entire length the visit, which lasted about an hour. Trump provided holiday cookies for the family and arranged for them to be able to see the staff from the residence.

Former first lady Laura Bush later posted on her Instagram her “thanks” to Trump. Several Bush family members took the special tour, including her sister-in-law Doro Bush and several of Bush Sr.’s grandchildren.

She also posted a picture posing with White House staff members whom she called her “old friends.

In an emotional scene, former Sen. Bob Dole was helped out of his wheelchair and saluted George H.W. Bush’s casket in the Capitol Rotunda moments ago.

Dole told CNN on Saturday that Bush’s passing marked the end of an era. (Bush was the last World War II veteran president.)

“I believe there are certain qualities that veterans have and when Bush was president, I think about three-fourths of Congress were veterans and we would stick together and work together across the aisle. And President Bush was a bipartisan president. So we got quite a lot done,” Dole said.

Watch the moment:

Britain’s Prince Charles will attend George H.W. Bush’s funeral in Washington, DC tomorrow, his official residence announced.

He’ll be representing his mother, Queen Elizabeth.

Sully, a Labrador service dog who worked with George H.W. Bush, just visited the former president’s casket in the US Capitol Rotunda.

Sully traveled to Washington, DC, from Texas with Bush’s casket and the Bush family.

The yellow lab went to work with Bush this summer after former first lady Barbara Bush passed away earlier this year. Sully can perform a two-page list of commands, including answering the phone and fetching items.

So what happens to Sully now? A highly trained service dog, Sully will now go back into service to help other veterans and is going to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, former President George W. Bush wrote in an Instagram post.

“As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we’re comforted to know he’ll bring the same joy to his new home, Walter Reed, that he brought to 41,” Bush wrote.

Watch the moment Sully arrived:

Colin Powell, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during George H.W. Bush’s presidency, just paid his respects to the former president. Bush is lying in state at the US Capitol, and Powell saluted in front of the casket.

After Bush’s death, Powell remembered how the leader believed that politics doesn’t ever need to be “nasty.”

“I wish we could get some of that back in our system now,” Powell said, adding, “he was a great president, and he was a perfect American.”

Powell also served as secretary of state under Bush’s son, former President George W. Bush.

Watch more:

President Trump is expected to pay a condolence call to members of former President George H.W. Bush’s family today at Blair House, a government house across the street from the White House.

This morning, Trump tweeted about spending time with the Bushes:

Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid their respects to the former president in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday night. They spent about a minute and 15 seconds in the Rotunda. The President and first lady closed their eyes in apparent prayer. The President then saluted as the first lady placed her hand over her heart.

President Trump also plans to attend a Wednesday funeral for Bush, although will not speak at the service, sources with knowledge of the plans tell CNN.

Americans aren’t alone in mourning the death of former President George H.W. Bush.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that all flags at federal buildings in Canada — and Canadian offices in the US — will be lowered to honor the former president.

Here’s his full message:

Former President George H.W. Bush’s body arrived in Washington, DC, yesterday. He will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda through Wednesday morning. It’s an honor reserved for government officials and military officers.

Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans remain locked in a standoff over funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall that could trigger a partial government shutdown in the coming days.

But for at least a few hours, the two parties appeared to put their political differences aside.

Last night, at a a ceremony was held inside the rotunda, Capitol Hill’s highest-ranking Republican and Democratic lawmakers joined together in paying tribute to the former President.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stood side-by-side as a wreath was placed alongside the casket. In another image of unity, House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi did the same several minutes later, standing next to one another as a second wreath was placed.

Former President George H.W. Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until Wednesday morning.

The public can pay their respects to the 41st president until 8:45 a.m. ET Wednesday.

We’re wrapping our live coverage for the night, but we’ll be back tomorrow morning.

You can scroll through the posts below to read more about Monday’s memorial service, watch a livestream of the Capitol Rotunda in the video player above or visit CNN Politics.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid their respects to former President George H.W. Bush in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday night.

The Trumps spent about a minute and 15 seconds in the Rotunda. The President and first lady closed their eyes in apparent prayer. The President then saluted as the first lady placed her hand over her heart.

Trump will pay a condolence call to the Bush family on Tuesday at Blair House, according to the sources, a government house across the street from the White House.

Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter are all expected to attend the funeral on Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral, according to sources familiar with the planning of the funeral. The current and all former first ladies are also expected to attend, except for Rosalynn Carter, according to the sources.

Watch the moment:

The US Postal Service announced it will “suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity” on Wednesday for the national day of mourning honoring the late former President George H.W. Bush.

“Out of respect for the 41st President of the United States and to honor his vast contributions to our country during his lifetime, and consistent with the Presidential Proclamation,” a statement on the USPS website reads, “the United States Postal Service will suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity on Dec. 5.”

The Postal Service said it will provide “limited package delivery service” that day.

The White House said Saturday that President Donald Trump would declare Wednesday a national day of mourning for the country’s 41st president.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney described President George H.W. Bush as a “phenomenal leader” who did a “beautiful job” managing key political events worldwide.

“I mean you couldn’t find anybody better equipped when he arrived, those set of circumstances that we all experienced during that particular four-year period,” Cheney, who served as Bush’s defense secretary, told CNN Monday. “I mean we had had 70-some years of Cold War and so forth, but it was the time when everything came to a head, the Soviet Union went out of business – Germany was reunited, eastern Europe was liberated. A bunch of things we worked ought for years all of a sudden occurred on his watch, and he had to manage it and did a beautiful job of it.”

Cheney eventually went on to serve as vice president in former President George W. Bush’s administration.

The Bushes, he said, had a “very close relationship.”

Cheney said one of his favorite photographs is of Bush junior’s first day on the job. The photo, he said, shows Bush senior and junior talking about the presidency in the Oval Office.

Watch more:

George H.W. Bush will be laid to rest in socks with jets on them, a tribute to “his lifetime of service, starting as an 18-year-old naval aviator in war,” Bush’s spokesman Jim McGrath tweeted Monday.

Bush is known for his bold footwear: When Parkinson’s disease mostly silenced him in public, Bush flashed his sense of humor by sporting colorful striped socks.

Earlier this year, at his wife’s funeral, he wore socks with books on them — a nod to Barbara Bush’s main cause during her White House years: literacy.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will visit the Capitol Rotunda on Monday night to pay their respects to former President George H.W. Bush.

The Trumps will visit the Bush family at the Blair House, a government house across the street from the White House, on Tuesday.

As of Monday morning, all living Presidents are expected to attend Bush’s funeral on Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral.

Moments after the memorial concluded, several members of the Supreme Court paid their respect Monday evening to former President George H.W. Bush.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Chief Justice John Roberts and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy stood solemnly in front of the former president’s casket.

Bush is now lying in state.

Officials are paying their respects right now. The public can pay their respects to the 41st president from 7:30 p.m. ET Monday to 8:45 a.m. ET Wednesday.

Watch here:

In remarks at the Rotunda, Vice President Mike Pence recounted former President George H.W. Bush’s military service and political rise, and lauded Bush’s navigation of a wartime presidency.

“There was a kindness about the man that was evident to everyone who ever met him. All his years in public service were characterized by kindness, modesty and patriotism,” Pence said, describing how he met the then-vice president in 1988.

Pence spoke of when his own son, a marine aviator, made his first tailed hook landing on the USSR George Herbert Walker Bush. Bush not only signed a picture of the flight deck as a gift to Pence’s son, but sent a handwritten congratulatory letter as well.

Bush had written in the letter, “I wish you many CAVU days ahead” – an aviation acronym meaning “ceiling and visibility unlimited.”

Watch the moment:

House Speaker Paul Ryan, describing how George H.W. Bush “personified grace,” spoke of a photo he will always remember – it shows the older Bush holding his son President George W. Bush’s hand at the service for America’s National Day of Prayer and Remembrance on Sept. 14, 2001, just days after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

“This one I will never forget,” Ryan said, describing it as an image revealing “a loving father reaching out to hold his son’s hand.”

Watch the moment:

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan praised former President George H.W. Bush as “a great leader and a good man.”

Bush’s 1988 presidential campaign was the first Ryan had ever been involved in, he said.

“He was the first president I had the chance to vote for. And he was the first president to teach me and many of us that in a democracy, sometimes you fall short. And that how you handle that — that is just as important as how you win,” Ryan said, speaking after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Bush was not only a good leader, but a good father and husband, demonstrating “the finest qualities of our nation and of humankind,” Ryan said.

“He reached the heights of power with uncommon humility. He made monumental contributions to freedom with a fundamental decency that resonates across generations. No one better harmonized the joy of life and the duty of life… God bless the 41st president of the United States,” he said.

Hear the opening of Ryan’s speech:

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell honored President George H.W. Bush in remarks at a ceremony at the US Capitol this afternoon, citing Bush’s “steady hand” that kept America on course for decades – first as an aviator, then a congressman, ambassador, envoy to China, CIA director, vice president and commander-in-chief.

Here’s what he said:

“Through the Cold War and the Soviet Union’s collapse, he kept us on course. When the rule of law needed defending in the Persian Gulf, he kept us on course.”
“With his even temperament and hard-won expertise, George Herbert Walker Bush steered this country as straight as he steered that airplane. He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still. And he did it with modesty and kindness that would have been surprising in someone one tenth as tough and accomplished as he was.”

Hear McConnell’s opening remarks:

Former President George H.W. Bush’s ceremony at the US Capitol is officially underway.

After the casket was placed on the catafalque, House Chaplain Rev. Patrick Conroy opened the ceremony with a prayer that honored Bush’s public service in the military, Congress and White House.

Read it:

“Let us pray. We give you thanks, almighty god, for the appearance among us of great men and women who serve as inspirations for all Americans to be their best in service, to God, country and neighbor. This day, we honor our 41st president, George H.W. Bush. President Bush dedicated his entire life to public service as a vocation, first in the military, then as a member of Congress, a diplomat, director of the CIA, vice president and finally, president. It is a record of service reminiscent of John Quincy Adams, an unmatched in nearly a century. We thank you, oh, God, for having endowed President Bush with noblesse oblige, and ask that his example of service to others might be an inspiration to all Americans, indeed to all the world. As we continue this celebration of honor, grant that all who attend to these proceedings might be desirous of being our best selves in service to all our brothers and sisters as you might call us to be. Dear Lord, thank you for inspiring such greatness in President George H.W. Bush, and continue to bless the United States of America. Amen.”

Watch it here:

All sitting US Supreme Court justices are expected to attend the arrival ceremony at the US Capitol for President George H.W. Bush — except for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court’s spokesperson said.

Ginsburg, still recovering from fractured ribs, is expected to be on the bench tomorrow for oral arguments, according to a court spokeswoman. Ginsburg heard arguments this morning.

The hearse carrying former President George H.W. Bush’s casket has arrived at the East Front of the US Capitol.

Members of the Bush family and the former president’s Cabinet were standing outside the Capitol to receive the casket and to lead it the Rotunda.

As per tradition, Bush will lie in state in the Rotunda until Wednesday morning. The public can pay their respects to the 41st president from 7:30 p.m. ET Monday to 8:45 a.m. ET Wednesday.

A Republican official tells CNN that congressional authorities intend to keep the public viewing in the Rotunda open all night in order to allow the crowds to pay their respects.

Watch the arrival of the hearse:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell paid tribute to former President George H.W. Bush on the Senate floor Monday afternoon, praising his military service and wartime presidential leadership.

“He aspired to govern his country well, preserve what was good, and improve things where possible. He wanted to keep us flying high and challenge us to fly a little higher. And he led us as he seemingly did everything in his life, with grace and kindness that seemed almost unbelievable, given all that he’d accomplished,” McConnell said.

The Kentucky Republican also spoke of Bush’s role as a husband and father to “a family of leaders whose contributions have enriched this country even more.”

“A quarter-century after George Bush left the Oval Office, his legacy continues to directly inspire not just ‘a thousand points of light,’ but millions of volunteers who serve others,” McConnell said.

All branches of the US military carried out an official arrival ceremony after the presidential plane, carrying former President George H.W. Bush, landed in Maryland Monday afternoon.

A special honor guard greeted the Bush family, including his children and grandchildren. They then performed traditional fanfare such as “Four Ruffles and Flourishes,” “Hail to the Chief,” and a simultaneous 21-gun salute.

The Air Force band played “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” as the casket was moved to the hearse. It is now en route to the US Capitol.

Watch it here:

A CIA delegation is at Joint Base Andrews to honor President George H.W. Bush as his casket arrives, a source familiar with the planning told CNN.

Bush was CIA director from January 1976 to January 1977.

He had said it was his favorite job, loved intelligence reports and kept his briefings for years after being president.

The presidential plane carrying former President George H.W. Bush, named Special Air Mission 41 just for today, just arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Members of the Bush family and a special honor guard will greet the former president’s casket before it is driven in a presidential hearse to the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

When the motorcade arrives at the US Capitol, Bush’s vice president Dan Quayle will be standing there with members of his cabinet to receive the casket and to lead it the Rotunda, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer reported. 

Here’s the moment the plane lands:

The nomination announcement for the 61st Grammy Awards will be postponed due to memorial services planned for former President George H.W. Bush.

The nomination announcement, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, will instead take place Friday.

In a statement to CNN, the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammys, said:

“Select categories will be announced live on ‘CBS This Morning’ and on Apple Music at 8:30 a.m. ET. Immediately following, at 8:45 a.m. ET, the Recording Academy will announce nominations across all 84 categories via press release, GRAMMY.com, and the Recording Academy’s social media platforms.”

Former British Prime Minister John Major will attend the state funeral of President George H.W. Bush in Washington.

During Major’s career in the British government, he was the foreign secretary and chancellor of the exchequer, a British Cabinet-level position, during Bush’s presidency.

Major worked with Bush during his tenure. His official biography even mentions his partnership with the former president:

“Following Margaret Thatcher, John Major became Prime Minister and attempted to make peace between both party and country in the wake of a divisive decade. He took a leading role, alongside US President George HW Bush, in the first Gulf War, and survived an IRA mortar attack on Number 10 during a Cabinet meeting.”

This week, for the first time in nearly 12 years, America will lay a former president to rest.

George H.W. Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Monday evening until Wednesday morning. Then there will be a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.

Bush spoke at the most recent presidential memorial there — a service for Gerald Ford in January 2007.

Sully H.W. Bush, a yellow Labrador service dog who worked with the late former President George H.W. Bush, is traveling with Bush’s casket on his flight to Washington, DC, according to a source familiar with the plans.

Jim McGrath, Bush’s spokesman, posted an image of Sully next to Bush’s casket on Sunday along with the caption, “Mission complete.” (Check out the photo above.)

So what happens to Sully after that? A highly trained service dog, Sully will go back into service to help other veterans and is going to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, former President George W. Bush wrote in an Instagram post.

“As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we’re comforted to know he’ll bring the same joy to his new home, Walter Reed, that he brought to 41,” Bush wrote.

The presidential plane carrying former President George H.W. Bush, named Special Air Mission 41 just for today, is on its way for Washington.

Here’s the moment it went wheels up:

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will pay their respects to former President George H.W. Bush at the US Capitol “sometime this evening,” a White House official tells CNN.

Bush is currently on his way to Washington DC, and there will be a 4:45 p.m. arrival ceremony ET at the US Capitol. Bush will lie in state in the rotunda until Wednesday morning. The public can pay their respects to the 41st president from 7:30 p.m. ET Monday to 8:45 a.m. ET Wednesday.

A Republican official tells CNN that congressional authorities intend to keep the public viewing in the Rotunda open all night in order to allow the crowds to pay their respects.

Former President George H.W. Bush’s final journey to Washington has officially begun.

In a somber ceremony at Houston’s Ellington Field, Bush’s casket was loaded onto a presidential plane, which will soon head to Washington, DC.

The aircraft, which you would recognize as “Air Force One” if a current president was on board, is being called “Special Air Mission 41” for the day.

Several members of the Bush family, including former President George W. Bush, were on hand at the field for the ceremony. They boarded the aircraft and will now travel to meet other family members, including Jeb Bush, in DC.

Watch part of the ceremony:

President Trump just tweeted that he’s “looking forward to being with the Bush Family” this week.

Trump is expected to pay a condolence call to the Bush family on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the planning of former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral arrangements. He’s also expected to attend the the state funeral on Wednesday at the National Cathedral.

However, Trump will not be speaking at the funeral.

In past state events like this, a president is invited to speak but, the Bush family has another president in the family — Bush’s son, George W. Bush — who will fill that role. Those plans were all put into place before Trump was elected.

Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, arrived in Washington this morning to join the family in celebrating the life of former President George H.W. Bush.

The Bushes, who were sitting in the first row of coach on a crowded American Airlines flight from Miami this morning, received private words of condolence from the pilot and several passengers. 

CNN caught up with him quickly as he walked through the airport. He said it was going to be a tough week and he looked forward to it being over. He said condolences coming in from around the world were heartening.

Asked about his call on Saturday with President Trump, he said it was a brief, but pleasant conversation.  

“It was gracious of him to call,” Bush said of Trump, his former rival.

The Bushes will join other family at Joint Base Andrews for the afternoon arrival of the presidential aircraft carrying the casket, being called “Special Air Mission 41.”

The motorcade carrying Former President George H.W. Bush’s body is making its way to Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas.

Along the way, a few bystanders were seen darting across traffic to get a final look.

Bill and Hillary Clinton will attend President George H.W. Bush’s funeral on Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral, a Clinton spokesman tells CNN.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will also be there, an aide to Biden confirmed. 

Former President George H.W. Bush’s casket was just taken out of the Houston funeral home, carried by members of his Secret Service detail.

It will now be escorted to an air field for Bush’s trip home to Washington.

CNN’s Jamie Gangel just explained the Secret Service agents’ intimate role:

The reason those Secret Service were there today is because he had an extraordinary relationship with them. Every president has an important relationship with their Secret Service, but this was a very personal one. They loved him. He would go to great lengths to make their lives easy. He never went out on Thanksgiving or Christmas so that as many of them as possible could be with their families. When he went to the Vatican, he would make sure that Secret Service agents who were Roman Catholic would be in his close tight detail so that they could meet the Pope. So he very much wanted to honor his Secret Service detail.

His detail will stay with him, in fact, until he is interred. Watch the solemn moment:

At least four people will deliver eulogies Wednesday for former President George H.W. Bush at the funeral service at the National Cathedral, according to sources familiar with the planning. They are:

On Thursday, at a service at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, the eulogists will be:

So where is President Trump? Trump will pay a condolence call to the Bush family on Tuesday at Blair House according to the same sources. 

Trump will not be speaking at the state funeral on Wednesday at the National Cathedral. The plans were all put into place before Trump was elected. In past state events like this, a president is invited to speak but, the Bush family has another president in the family who will fill that role. 

The official schedule of memorial services for former President George H.W. Bush, who died late Friday at the age of 94, includes two funerals and ceremonies in both Washington, DC and Texas.

Here’s what we’re expecting — we’ll cover all of this here.