(This post may contain disputed claims. We make no assertions as to the validity of the information presented by our Opinion Columnist. We are an opinion blog, not a traditional news outlet, and this post should be treated as such. Enjoy.)Former President George H.W. Bush passed away on Friday at the age of 94, leaving behind his beloved service dog, Sully. The white lab will accompany the former president to his burial, but then he has a new mission to take on.
Sully, an immaculately-trained white lab, came to live with the former President George H.W. Bush in June of 2018, just two months after former first lady Barbara Bush passed away. “A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, ‘Sully,’ a beautiful — and beautifully trained — lab from @AmericasVetDogs. Could not be more grateful, especially for their commitment to our veterans,” Bush tweeted at the time.
A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, "Sully," a beautiful — and beautifully trained — lab from @AmericasVetDogs. Could not be more grateful, especially for their commitment to our veterans. pic.twitter.com/Fx4ZCZAJT8
— George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) June 25, 2018
Sully was named after Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the former pilot who earned international fame after he successfully landed a damaged plane in the Hudson River in January of 2009:
After logging more than 20,000 hours of flight time Sullenberger became internationally renowned on January 15, 2009 when he and his crew safely guided US Airways Flight 1549 to an emergency water landing in New York City’s frigid Hudson River. The Airbus A320’s two engines had lost thrust following a bird strike. Sullenberger and his crew received international acclaim for their actions that day, including the passage of a Congressional resolution recognizing their bravery. Sullenberger was ranked second in TIME’s “Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009” and was awarded the French Legion of Honour. [Source: SullySullenberger.com]
Over the weekend, Bush’s longtime spokesman Jim McGrath shared a photo of Sully by his master’s side even in death, along with the words “Mission complete.” The dog’s sullen expression as he lays beneath Bush’s coffin is enough to break your heart.
Mission complete. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/rXdyXAS4lk
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 3, 2018
Former Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush shared McGrath’s photo, adding, “Sully has the watch.”
Sully has the watch. https://t.co/olnBtN4WgE
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 3, 2018
Jeb’s tweet was a reference to the Navy’s send-off to fallen sailors: “Shipmate you stand relieved … we have the watch.”
George H.W. Bush was just a 20-year-old Navy pilot when he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, a medal given to those who display heroism in flight:
What should have been a routine bombing run quickly went sideways and almost killed the man who would later become president. The two other members of his crew — William G. “Ted” White and John “Del” Delaney — were not so fortunate.
It was September 2, 1944, and Bush was flying toward an island called Chichi Jima to bomb a Japanese radio station. His Avenger light bomber — one of four tasked from the USS San Jacinto for this particular mission — took a hit from anti-aircraft fire, but Bush kept going and managed to drop his payload and damage the target. He said later, “We were trained to complete our runs no matter what the obstacle.” [Source: The Daily Caller]
Bush’s service dog was trained to answer the phone or get anything his master might require. “As one person said, he can do just about anything except make you a martini, but not to worry, he can go get you someone to make you a martini!” McGrath quipped.
The amazing dog even has his own Instagram account, where he delights fans with his daily adventures, even getting in on his master’s notorious sock game.
Sully will stay by Bush’s side until his body is returned to Washington. Then, he will spend the holidays in New York with America’s VetDogs — the organization that initially matched him with the former president earlier this year.
Sully won’t have too much downtime, however, because his next mission is already planned. He is set to join the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program, a new task which would certainly please Bush.
