The American “can-do spirit”

In our media culture, often the worst things become the main story and the good things pass without notice.  In the past days, the life of President George HW Bush has been remembered, analyzed and as is our present crazy political climate, both his public and private life have been constantly compared to President Donald J. Trump.

After the media canonization earlier this year of  Saint John McCain, that was really more a shallow demonization of Trump media attack, which even McCain’s daughter participated in, it’s worth noting the Bush family, following the example of HW, kept to the higher ground. The entire family treaded this important state occasion of a presidential funeral with grace, dignity and with total respect for our country.

As I thought about President George HW Bush’s presidency, I remembered that we were living in Germany, where my husband was stationed in the Army, during all but the last months of his presidency.  His steady leadership reached us and kept our spirits high through Desert Storm, which affected our family directly.  My husband deployed with 3rd Armored Division to Desert Storm.

We had complete confidence in his presidential leadership and his ability to lead as CINC.  That mattered, not only to the troops and military families; it mattered to all of America.  Despite our family being in a foreign country, far from home, I never felt unsure about his steadfast leadership and commitment to the American military.

Amidst the media’s HW feeding frenzy, much of it phony and little more than flimsy cover for attacks on Trump, I think it’s important to look higher.

Political lip service is cheap and plentiful, but the real deal of deep faith, honesty  loyalty and dedication to serve others is rare.  HW lived this every day of his life.  Many of his own family work to follow his example of public service, but I think all of us can work to embrace his example too.

As this American president goes to his final resting place today, perhaps his life should be remembered most for how he treated other people.

All of us, no matter how rich or poor, no matter our political beliefs, no matter our sex or race or religion, can strive to follow HW’s exemplary example of treating others with respect, putting serving others ahead of ourselves, and most of all facing each day, with a look to the skies, a determined smile resolutely on our face, as we step, confidently ahead with good cheer.

We should all remember that  20 year-old, WWII fighter pilot, bravely going off to fight in the Pacific.  He was a part of an American generation confident in American values.

He flew high in his personal accomplishments, but through it all he remained happily grounded by his true faith and allegiance to his family and country.

My prayers are with his family for their loss; my gratitude is that he and his generation left a flicker of American “can-do spirit” burning. We should honor and strive to keep it burning brightly in our hearts .