41@80 Comments and Photos

[wysiwyg]

Hi folks,

Mrs. wysiwyg and I – along with 5,000+ of our closest friends – attended the 41@80 celebration last night at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Our tickets were graciously arranged by a friend's sibling who "knows people." Thanks, M!

It was an amazing event. We were very surprised to see that the M.C. was, of all people, Larry King. Entertainment was provided by:

• Amy Grant and Vince Gill
• The Abundant Life Cathedral Choir
• Crystal Gayle
• Dennis Miller
• Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers
• The Oak Ridge Boys
• Michael W. Smith
• Lee Greenwood
• Randy Travis
• Ronan Tynan (who also said some very eloquent and touching words)
• Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings
• Wynona Judd
• Yolanda Adams
• all backed up by The Houston Symphony Orchestra – Richard Kaufman, Director

There were appearances by other famous and semi-famous people as well:

• Chuck Norris
• Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens (via video)
• Chris Evert
• Gary Carter
• Greg Norman (he, too, said some touching words)
• Jim Nanz
• Nolan Ryan
• Pete Sampras
• Rusty Staub
• Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale

There were others there that I won't name because they escape my memory. There were several very special guests:

• Jeb Bush
• George P. Bush
• President and Mrs. George W. Bush
• Vice President and Mrs. Dan Quayle
• John Major
• Brian Mulroney
• Shimon Peres
• Carlos Salinas de Gortari
• and Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev closed the show with many kind words and a few jokes. He spoke in Russian, of course, but had his translator on hand. We also saw Barbara and Jenna Bush and Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst. At one point, Jeb Bush walked right past us. Near the end of the event, we realized that the roof had been opened. The reason for that soon became clear.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights made a spectacular jump into Minute Maid Park! They jumped in darkness and landed in center field. You'll see in the photo below that there wasn't much space available for their approach and landing. Those men were unbelievably impressive! The evening ended with a fantastic fireworks show.

Now for some photos:

The stage as viewed from our seats – it spanned from 1st base around to 3rd base

W and Laura

Dennis Miller

Tommy Tune

Marilyn and Dan Quayle

Bush family members

The ever-gracious Barbara

Gorbachev and other former world leaders

Oh, I guess that I should add that there was one lone protester near the (highly-secured) guest entrance. He was a bedraggled fellow with a small, hand-lettered, cardboard sign with some anti-Bush comments. He was chanting "No more Bush – no more Bush*t!" How charming. I noticed that the Houston PD officers near him were chuckling. I just had to laugh. I regret that I didn't take a photo of him. Oh well...

[wysiwyg]

By the way, does anyone know if JimRob was there? Were any other FReepers there?

[wysiwyg]

Houston - 41@80 - ping

[lawgirl]

Did W tell any good jokes or stories about his dad?

[Hirams_little_helper]

What was this event about?

[Arizona]

Wow - Impressive! Thanks for the great first-hand report. I'd love to have been there.

az

[wysiwyg]

George H. W. Bush's 80th birthday.

[wysiwyg]

Did W tell any good jokes or stories about his dad?

Yes, but please don't ask me to try to remember them. (It was a very long evening and we didn't get to bed until almost 2 this morning.)

[El Gato]

President Bush '41 is down and safe on his *second* tandem jump of the day. He had to go tandem because of wind conditions being too high for a relatively inexperienced jumper.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[BlessedBeGod]

Thank you for the report and the beautiful pictures!

[G.Mason]

Very nice work.

Thanks for a good job, and a great post!

[El Gato]

They awarded him a basic parachutists badge, with combat jump device. The badge is awarded for 5 successful jumps, the device is obviously for his WW-II jump from his shot up Avenger torpedo bomber.

His advice for other "senior citizens" : "Get out and do something! ... If you can't do a parachute jump, do something else."

I think I'd best take his advice, although I'm just a bit younger than President Bush '43.

He also said that is life today is "CAVU" (Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited)

[cmsgop]

Was Dennis Miller Funny?

[El Gato]

He also said that ishis life today is "CAVU" (Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited)

[ConservativeMan55]

add a TO to it..and you've got CAVUTO!

[Bahbah]

I am so jealous. :)

[Wheens]

Slight correction.

CAVU: Ceiling Absolute, Visability Unlimited.

[alisasny]

Aren't you the lucky one. Glad you got to go.

BTW, did Ronan Tynan sing?

Of all the tributes this week, his Amazing Grace at the National Funeral for Pres. Reagan on Friday was the one that hit my heart strings the most. It did not escape me how honored he was to be doing that song at that moment and how he controlled his voice so as not to miss a note. Even since the few times I have caught it in recaps I tear up .....

I must get a recording of that. I hope they make a CD of all the music from the events this week for me to buy. I am also hoping that the National Funeral was professionally recorded to capture the songs and we just dont know about it yet.

[deport]

Sun Jun 13,12:41 AM ET
A member of the Golden Knights Army parachute team, behind stage, drops in for the finale of the 80th birthday celebration for former President George H.W. Bush Saturday, June 12, 2004, in Houston. (Giant screens are used to better show the landing.) (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

[ArmyBratproud]

The Birthday bash was also a fundraiser for some of the foundations that the Bush family sponsors. Very cool

I video taped the second jump today. Which makes jump # 5 for him. Very cool that the Golden Knights knew to give him a combat star on his jump wings...for the first jump he made in WWII.

This entire week...with the way our military honored President Reagan's Life....and with the way they were highlighted today with Pres. Bush 41's Wing jump...
has been good for our Military. It shows our fine Men and Women who serve in their true, honorable,and professional light!
God Bless These United States and All Who Serve.