Tag: Bush Presidential Library and Museum

By Isis Hollis

Public service is something LEAP students know well, but that knowledge was reinforced, expanded, and reaffirmed during a recent visit to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The Museum, with its emphasis on President Bush’s long career of service, was ready-made for the eleven students on this LEAP trip, and the subject matter and the mix of students made this one of the best LEAP field trips in recent memory.

The experience started with a tour from a lovely SHSU alumna who guided us to the museum theatre, where we got to watch a short film on the highlights of President Bush’s career.

Following the movie, we went through a chronological tour of Bush’s life, which in many ways, is a tour of the 20th century. His early life was highlighted by photos of family, including his father, a US Senator from Connecticut.

His Navy career was strikingly told through video, excerpts of letters, and a replica of the Navy TBM Avenger that he piloted in WWII–and in which he was shot down.

The letters lining the museum walls gave us a glimpse into how 20-year-old Bush dealt with such a life-changing event and who was important to him during that time of his life.

Arguably, the most important person in President Bush’s life, his wife, Barbara Bush, had many portions of the museum dedicated just to her wonderful work. Her efforts and contributions to literacy programs such as the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy are remembered through the many panels detailing just how many lives she changed with her avid community work. 

The many campaigns and careers leading to President Bush’s time in office were another prominent aspect in the museum. Details about his role as Director of Central Intelligence for the CIA, an often overlooked aspect, offered a sneak peek into the intricacies of dealing with classified information.

This foreign-policy bent was reinforced by Bush’s time as Ambassador to China and Ambassador to the UN, the latter exhibit gave us a chance to pose with the man himself (or at least his statue).

The replica of the Oval Office seemed most popular, with nearly everyone taking a turn to sit where the president would, and pretending to answer the phone or read important papers. 

Further into the museum, we found that President Bush’s term in office is remembered by all the good he did for the people of not only America, but for those in Kuwait, Germany, and other places across the globe as well. With pieces of the Berlin Wall standing tall over us, we felt the impact of all the work that went into tearing it down.

Sand from the land of Kuwait, alongside the war tools turned into art, left a lasting impact on us, giving us an understanding of the many points of view Bush was able to incorporate into his foreign policy vision.

Each of us took something different from the Museum. Luke, Brianne, and Michelle spent more time reviewing Bush’s military life; Mikaela, as a Model UN student, focused on the international scope of the Museum; Gavin, a history student, soaked it all in; Zackery, a political junkie, enjoyed the electoral exhibits; and all of us enjoyed learning more about the major events from 1941-1993, and beyond.

The Library reminded all of us the importance of public service–as Bush referred to it, a “Noble Service”–while also reminding us that doing good in the world requires taking risks, making sacrifices, and working hard–all good lessons.