Remembering a President

While my children got ready for school this morning, the coverage of President George H.W. Bush’s funeral was on throughout our house. We rarely have TV on these days, but it was important to me that my kids see it. Why? Years ago, when I was just a kid, I was home sick from school watching TV on the couch. All that was on that day was the funeral coverage of former President Richard Nixon. I was glued to it. I had never seen anything like it and I was immediately fascinated by the not only the funeral coverage itself but by the stories of President Nixon and what his life meant to America. It’s my earliest memory of being struck by what patriotism meant. It was America coming together and pausing for a few moments to reflect. It was beautiful.

My own kids live in a world where talk of politics is ugly. Animosity has taken over something that should be respected. When a U.S. president passes away though, that animosity pauses and Americans remember what it means to be an American. Instead of seeing Washington at its worst, they see Washington at its finest. When that happens, moments of awe and respect have the opportunity to fill our children’s hearts. They have the chance to see what it’s supposed to be like. It’s inspiring.

So, when coverage of President Bush’s state funeral (or any other president in the future) comes on TV, don’t rush to change the channel. Take a moment and talk about it with your children. Let them see what it’s all about. Let them ask questions. Let them witness what public service and being an American is all about.

I don’t write a lot about my time at the White House. I was a low man on the totem pole in the Presidential Speechwriting office. Truthfully, it was an honor and a privilege to work there but it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was demanding in every way–physically, emotionally and even intellectually (at times, surrounded by Ivy Leaguers left and right, I wondered if I was smart enough to even work there). I get asked all the time where my interest in politics stemmed from and how I ended up with a job at the White House. There isn’t one thing that did it. It was a collection of moments all coming together.

One of those moments was watching the coverage of President Nixon’s funeral as a kid. It sparked something in me. It was like watching American royalty and I was intrigued. Before that time, it hadn’t even occurred to me that people served the country is such a dedicated way. It fueled an interest in me that I didn’t know was there.

Years later, in 2006, I found myself working at the White House when President Ford died just the day after Christmas. Many of the speechwriting staffers were still away for the holidays, so I was assigned to work with the higher up speechwriting staff on President Bush’s funeral remarks. As small as my role was, I felt a weight on my shoulders. This was the man who followed Nixon into the presidency. I spent many late nights helping to perfect the remarks. I put my heart into it. As President Ford’s funeral procession passed the White House later that week, my fellow White House staffers and I were able to stand in front of the White House to pay respects as he drove by. It was one of my most memorable moments as a White House staffer. The same feeling of respect and awe that I had as a kid watching Nixon’s funeral came flooding back.

Not everyone has the opportunity to help draft funeral remarks for a former president, or to pay their respects to one in person. But every child (and adult) should pause for a moment–no matter how busy they are–on the day of state funerals and learn what it means to be an American and to see what patriotism really looks like. It’s the least we can do, but it might make the world of a difference in your child’s view of our country. And, who knows, it might set them on their own path of public service some day.