George W. Bush arrives in South Carolina

By Lynn R. Mitchell

South Carolina is Bush country! https://t.co/koKt5KyU04

— John Noonan (@noonanjo) February 15, 2016

President George W. Bush arrived Monday afternoon with First Lady Laura Bush to campaign with Governor Jeb Bush in Charleston. The rally is scheduled for 6pm.

Then at 10pm the Bush brothers will be Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News. #AllinforJeb

Welcome to the world, Poppy Louise Hager … congrats, Henry and Jenna Bush Hager!

Mila Hager, Laura Bush, George W. Bush, Poppy Hager

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Mila has a baby sister, and her name is Poppy!

And Virginia has a new grandbaby, sort of. Since Poppy is the granddaughter of former Lieutenant Governor John Hager, maybe the Commonwealth can take a little claim of her, too.

Congratulations to Jenna, daughter of former First Lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush, and her husband Henry, son of Maggie and John Hager, on the birth Friday, August 14, 2015, of their baby girl named Poppy Louise Hager.

Poppy’s uncle is former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who is a U.S. presidential candidate for 2016.

Poppy was the nickname of Jenna’s grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, as a child. What an honor for the proud 91-year-old great-grandpa who was able to meet his namesake via Facetime. Congrats to both George H.W. and his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Jenna and Henry Hager with baby daughter Poppy

A millennial Bush named Barbara

Barbara Bush with her father, President George W. Bush

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former President George W. Bush and wife Laura’s daughters are now 33 years old. Many know Jenna who is a correspondent on NBC’s “Today” show and married to Virginia’s former Lieutenant Governor John Hager’s son Henry, but most don’t know as much about Barbara, the dark-haired twin who keeps a lower profile.

New York Times reporter Nicholas Kristof takes a look at Barbara, named after her grandmother and former First Lady Barbara Bush, and the humanitarian work she has undertaken, following in the path of her parents who have worked extensively in Africa (see A Millennial Named Bush):

Easter Egg Roll at the White House 2002

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Easter 2002 … the White House Egg Roll hosted by President George W. Bush and First lady Laura Bush. One of my sisters worked in the President’s administration so my mother, other sister, the two six-year-old nieces, my 14-year-old daughter were guests for an extraordinary day, the first Egg Roll after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Security was tight but there was a light-hearted atmosphere as children raced around the lawn, and special attractions invited by the White House entertained including animal specialist Jack Hanna. Commemorative wooden pastel-colored Easter eggs inscribed with the event and date were given to all.

Since 1878, every U.S. President has hosted this family friendly tradition. It was a special day that we have not forgotten….

Photo courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Library

Oscar de la Renta remembered fondly as designer of Jenna Bush Hager’s wedding dress

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I suppose we all knew fashion designer Oscar de la Renta was older but I was still surprised with the news that the 82-year-old icon had passed away at his Connecticut home surrounded by family, friends, and “more than a few dogs.” His family noted that he “died exactly as he lived: with tremendous grace, great dignity and very much on his own terms.”

What a life of glamor and fashion he lived! Designer to the stars and jetsetters worldwide, he had a special place in the hearts of America’s First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush, and her daughters, Jenna and Barbara.

W takes the ALS ice bucket challenge and then challenges Bill Clinton – hilarious

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former President George W. Bush has a witty sense of humor and he’s also got a heart of gold. On Wednesday, he posted a message on his Facebook page about the ALS ice bucket challenge that has gone viral on the internet:

Get well wishes to George W. Bush after second knee surgery

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former President George W. Bush underwent partial knee replacement surgery over the weekend at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center, well known for joint surgery, less than two months after he had undergone surgery on his other knee (see George W. Bush has knee surgery). He and former First Lady Laura Bush returned to Dallas on Monday.

In 2004, President Bush gave up running because of knee issues and began mountain biking. These days that includes his annual trek with Wounded Warriors in the fall and, at this rate, it sounds as if he will be in biking form again by October. Here’s looking for another 67 years complete with fresh knees and repaired ticker along with get-well wishes for a speedy recovery.

For more, see Healthtrender’s George W. Bush has knee surgery to partially replace left knee.

 

Independence Day 2014 message from former President George W. Bush

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former President George W. Bush had an Independence Day message for America on this July 4, 2014:

“Laura and I wish our fellow Americans a Happy Independence Day. We are fortunate to be citizens of this free land, and we are grateful to the brave men and women in uniform who call the United States home. Happy Fourth of July, and may God continue to bless America.”

George W. Bush carries on humanitarian work in Africa

By Lynn R. Mitchell
Originally published July 2, 2013

After a week of renovating, President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush opened the Mosi-Oa-Tunya clinic, a cervical cancer facility in Livingstone, Zambia. The trip demonstrates their continued commitment to the people of Africa through the work of the global health initiative at the George W. Bush Institute. June 30-July 1, 2013.