Houston Chronicle
By Caroline Wilburn,
Staff writer
June 11, 2024
Celebrations for George H.W. Bush's 100th birthday began Monday morning with an event hosted by the Bush family and Houston Mayor John Whitmire at the George Bush Monument in Downtown Houston.
The event, sponsored by the George & Barbara Bush Foundation and the Houston First Corporation, began with a performance from the Bushes’ favorite local music organization, the Theater Under the Stars Musical Theatre Academy Ensemble, a news release detailed. The event also included a program featuring Jim “Mattress Mac” McIngvale, Linda Lorelle, Houston First CEO Michael Heckman and a tribute from the Houston Police Department.
The Houston event kicked off a week of festivities that features a three-day birthday celebration held in College Station June 11-13.
Here's a look at the upcoming celebrations for the former president's 100th birthday.
Tuesday, June 11: Alumni day
To launch the three-day celebration, Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary Andrew H. Card, Jr. will participate in a moderated conversation Tuesday afternoon at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center on the West Campus of Texas A&M University.
Later in the day, alumni of the George H.W. Bush administration will partake in a distinguished moderated conversation and reunion dinner.
Wednesday, June 12: A day of gratitude
On the late former president's 100th birthday, the George & Barbara Foundation will invite key patrons to participate in special wreath-laying ceremonies.
Later in the day, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Jon Meacham and former Chief of Staff under Bush Jean Becker will host a book launch event about their books "The Call to Serve: The Life of an American President, George Herbert Walker Bush" and "Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush."
Thursday, June 13: Community Celebration Day
To honor Bush, the public is invited to participate in a day of family-friendly activities at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center. All events are free, but require registration except for entry to the Pavilion and Library & Museum, which will have free admission from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The event will include the grand opening of the 29,000-square-foot Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion, which features the retired Marine One helicopter frequently flown by President Bush and his wife. The new facility also houses the Union Pacific 4141 Locomotive, painted to match Marine One, that led the president's funeral train.
Thursday morning Bush's grandchildren will continue the tradition of parachute jumping, just like their grandfather did every five years from the ages of 75 to 90. The group will also participate in a moderated conversation, “Looking Forward: Carrying the Mantle of Service into the Future" from 2-3 p.m. in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.
Free birthday cake and ice cream will be available to visitors in the rotunda of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, with a special appearance from Bush's service dog, Sully.
The three-day celebration will conclude with a free concert featuring Aggie musical legends Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett at 7:30 p.m. in Lot 41 of the Presidential Library & Museum.