At outposts in Afghanistan and Iraq, on all the ships at sea, and wherever troops serve worldwide, flags are being flown at half-staff today to honor the passing of former First Lady and military spouse Barbara Bush.
President Donald Trump called Mrs. Bush a "woman of character" in issuing the order that flags be flown at half-staff at all military installations.
"On this solemn day, we mourn the loss of Barbara Bush, an outstanding and memorable woman of character," Trump said. "As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, military spouse, and former First Lady, Mrs. Bush was an advocate of the American family."
Bush, wife of the former President George H.W. Bush and mother of former President George W. Bush, died Tuesday at age 92 at the family home in Houston, Texas. She was a Navy wife in World War II as her husband served in the Pacific.
Mrs. Bush was only the second woman in American history to have a son follow his father to the White House. Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams and mother of John Quincy Adams, was the first.
In his statement, Trump said he was ordering flags flown at half-staff "at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations," and "throughout the United States and its territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment."
"I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations," he said.
-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
