An Arkansas Navy Reservist has returned home from Washington, D.C., where he served as a Naval Escort to Distinguished Visitors attending former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral.
LCDR Gregory Sorenson flew to our nation’s capital Sunday, Dec. 2 to begin preparing for the tributes to Bush.
“I was proud to be part of the team to pay our respects to our former departed commander-in-chief,” Sorenson said.
He was part of a team at Joint Base Andrews who helped make sure Naval officials made it to events honoring Bush on-time.
Sorenson was also on base Monday, Dec. 3 as Air Force One arrived with President Bush’s casket.
“There was a very wonderful ceremony, a very respectful ceremony,” he said. “The joint chiefs of staff marched out to meet the plane. There were some Army artillery pieces that conducted a 21-gun salute as the plane pulled up, and the ceremonial guard in Washington did an excellent job in marching forward and taking the casket off of the plane,” he said.
As everyone departed for the Capitol building, Sorenson got the chance to meet a beloved, 4-legged member of the Bush family.
“I was fortunate enough to be able to meet with Sully, so I felt very honored to have that opportunity,” he said.
Sully worked as President Bush's service dog. His work will now continue with patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. According to Sorenson, Sully's next assignment is a testament to Bush 41's life of service that he feels thankful to have honored himself in Washington.
“It was a learning experience and something I will certainly remember for the rest of my life to have the opportunity to participate personally in the state funeral for one of our commanders in chief,” Sorenson said.
President Bush was buried outside his presidential library in College Station, Texas, next to his wife Barbara and their daughter Robin. The public will be able to visit his burial site starting Saturday.