HOUSTON — Students at a Fort Bend County school will play an important role in President Bush's journey home to Houston.
Students from George Bush High School in Richmond were chosen to be part of a special arrival ceremony Wednesday at Ellington Air Force Base when Bush 41 is flown home from Washington, D.C.
In late June, when the 94 year-old former president was in declining health, his office sent a letter to his namesake school, requesting that a small group of students be on the tarmac. The school selected students from their award-winning Junior ROTC program to represent it.
“With it being overwhelming and nerve-wracking, honestly, we’re just grateful that we’ve been given this opportunity,” said Gene Rodil.
“I believe as his body is moving through, we will all give him a salute, as he is going toward his final resting place,” said Junior ROTC member Stanley Akujor.
There will be 22 students from the school’s Navy Junior ROTC. The program recently won the state championship for excelling in both athletics and academics. The principal of George Bush High School said that’s one reason the students were selected, to honor Mr. Bush, who was a Navy pilot in World War II.
“The reason why we went that route is because he was in the Navy and what better way to honor him, than with our esteemed Junior ROTC,” said Principal Felicia James.
President Bush visited his namesake school in 2001, the year it opened.
Master Sgt. Reinaldo Mannings, an instructor with the school’s Junior ROTC program, recalls his visit.
“Loving the kids, hugging the kids. He was shaking hands, talking to the kids, getting to know the kids,” Sgt. Mannings said.
More than 2,000 students attend the high school. They have all been paying tribute to the legacy of Mr. Bush, in their own ways this week. Tuesday afternoon, the student orchestra spent time rehearsing “America, the Beautiful" to honor the president at a Tuesday night performance.
Mr. Bush’s casket is expected to arrive at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston around 4:45 Wednesday afternoon.