Nearly 12,000 mourners came to pay their respects to former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. The lines began to form hours before the 41st president’s casket arrived from Washington D.C. Wednesday afternoon, and they didn’t let up well into Thursday morning.
Spokesman for the Bush family, Jim McGrath, posted updates on Twitter as grievers continued to pour in to say goodbye to a man who touched so many in the Houston community.
By the most recent count, approximately 5,000 persons have passed through the @SecretService security checkpoint for the public repose in the state funeral of President George HW Bush. The process is running smoother now and wait times are under an hour. #Remembering41 #Bush41
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 6, 2018
As the public repose in the state funeral for President George H.W. Bush draws to a close, just getting word that 11,657 persons took the time out of their lives to pay respect to the 41st President of the United States of America. #Remembering41
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 6, 2018
The public visitation officially began Wednesday at 6 p.m., and continued until 6 a.m. Thursday. As the line progressed through the church Wednesday evening, individuals shared their fond memories of George H.W. Bush, who passed away Friday at age 94.
KTRK-TV reported Courtney Fischer shared moving testimonies of Texans who attended the viewing:
WHO’S IN LINE to see #Bush41? Shirley G says her husband worked 33 yrs w HPD, escorting GW and Barbara. “Oh the stories I could tell!” She proudly wears her late husband’s badge. Said she had to be here to say goodbye. #abc13 https://t.co/Pe0izAfDDg pic.twitter.com/BHXRx0UFuM
— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) December 6, 2018
WHO’S IN LINE? Shyree (right) was a nurse at Methodist and met #Bush41 a few years ago. Says when he came to visit Barbara in the hospital, GW would say: “I’m here to visit my girl.” #abc13 https://t.co/Pe0izAfDDg pic.twitter.com/oYkxdA25uw
— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) December 6, 2018
WHO’S IN LINE to see #Bush41? Jonathan, a veteran: “it doesn’t matter what party you support,” says he had to be here to say goodbye. #abc13 https://t.co/Pe0izAfDDg pic.twitter.com/9CHXO89fJ5
— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) December 6, 2018
WHO’S IN LINE to see #Bush41? Sarah says her son fussed for 2 hrs in line waiting and when they got into the church, he calmed down. “Like he knew how moving, how beautiful this moment was.” #abc13 https://t.co/Pe0izAfDDg pic.twitter.com/9US2ki6q8K
— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) December 6, 2018
WHO’S IN LINE to see #Bush41? These sisters say their sister worked for GW in the CIA. They both voted for him. Wanted to be here to pay their respects. #abc13 https://t.co/Pe0izAfDDg pic.twitter.com/Ans6u7jCO1
— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) December 6, 2018
A second and final funeral will be held for Bush Thursday at 10 a.m. CST, at St. Martin’s. Around 1,200 guests are expected to attend, according to KTRK-TV.
Following the service, Bush’s casket will be transported via a specially outfitted train to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, where he will be buried next to his late wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, and their daughter Robin.