We as Americans are all called to serve our communities. Some of us have been lucky enough to get called to a higher service in our nation’s capital and with that comes much responsibility. Every so often, amidst the rancor and partisanship of politics, we are offered a glimmer of idealism to remind us that America is still the shining city upon a hill that serves as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world.
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Festivities last week to inaugurate the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum bear witness to the amazing leadership our great nation has been blessed with over our 236- year history. The success of what we call the Land of the Free has been guided by an amazing and dynamic blend of intellect, skill, entrepreneurship, creativity, respect for our history and constitution, and good-natured compassion. America is the only hyper-power in history that enters the global fray and rather than colonializing, we work to build, rebuild and withdraw.
On Thursday, four presidents came together to honor our 43rd commander-in-chief. Each of those men demonstrated that whether we all agree or not, they are each as human and frail as every one of us and know that the office they have had the honor to hold is much bigger than themselves. As President Obama candidly admitted, “No matter how much you may think you’re ready to assume the office of the presidency, it’s impossible to truly understand the nature of the job until it’s yours, until you’re sitting at that desk.”
And for each of us who’ve served those in the Oval Office, and who’ve been touched by the awe of the American presidency, we are able to look back and recognize how every role we played was critical to the mission of our government and our nation – no matter how large or small it may have seemed at the time.
For those of us in the audience at the event, there was a defining moment of humanity in its truest form; it was an emotion captured by George H.W. Bush (#41) with his gentile and fragile remarks and insistence on standing up as the crowd gave him what will most likely be the last round of applause from his countrymen in his lifetime. He is a stoic American hero who has held leadership roles and served our nation for nearly 70 years, and his desire to stand in immense weakness demonstrated no arrogance, just humility as he rose in respect to all of us wildly clapping for him. Pappa Bush fought off death earlier this year to be there for his son at the opening of the Bush Center and to be a part of this celebration, but you could tell in his wisdom-filled eyes that he knows his soul will soon depart to God’s kingdom.
In this world, America and the values and way of life we defend are the last, best hope for freedom and prosperity to spread. To be a U.S. citizen is but a dream for untold millions. Why some of us were blessed to have been born or immigrated here is out of my comprehension. What I do know is on Thursday, America bore witness to the leadership of five individuals who love our nation. And having been close enough to the happenings of the White House, any man or woman who is elected to that role has my heartfelt respect because no one should have to shoulder the burdens of making the decisions about life and death and treasure that they do every day, all while fighting to keep their soul and sense of self intact.
We live in a glorious, hope-filled country that believes there is always a chance for another rebirth. Our best days are always ahead. In every period of crisis the United States has ever faced, we have stared danger in the eye and pulled together to mobilize and adapt to defeat it. Five presidents put patriotism over partisanship in celebration of democracy and our system of government on Thursday in Dallas. Now, it’s time for our elected officials to do the same thing for the interests of our nation when they go back to work in Washington.
Anthony Welcher served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. State Department in the George W. Bush Administration.