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Bush funeral train rolls into College Station, flyover sends final salute

Before arriving in College Station, the Bush family held its invite-only funeral services for close friends and family to celebrate the life of the 41st President.

(NEWS CENTER Maine) -- A sendoff fit for a one-of-a-kind man and President capped off six days of remembrance, mourning, and celebration of the life for George H. W. Bush.

President Bush's funeral services Thursday morning brought family and close friends to St. Martin's Episcopal Church for the final farewell to the 41st President.

After the services, the fanfare began, with a train ride on a special Union Pacific locomotive, painted to display the words "George H. W. Bush" and the number 4141.

The train rolled from Spring, just north of Houston, to College Station, the home of Texas A&M University, where the President's library that bears his name and tens of thousands in the community were ready to receive him and welcome him to his final resting place next to his late wife and daughter.

Shortly after the train arrived, the Navy's largest missing man formation flyover: 21 aircraft soared over the library, with one jet departing, signaling the loss of a naval aviator, and recognizing Mr. Bush's commitment to the Navy.

21 jets in #MissingMan Flyover for #Bush41 @BushSchool @bush41 @TAMU @flynavy @usnavy #khou11 #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/AlGibgKZaI

— Shern-Min Chow 🙋🏻 (@ShernMinKHOU) December 6, 2018

Before arriving in College Station, the Bush family held its invite-only funeral services for close friends and family to celebrate the life of the 41st President.

Among the touching tributes to "a man we all adored," Bush's grandson, George P. Bush spoke most of Maine, and the fond memories they made during the summers there. He recalled a letter Mr. Bush had written.

”'P,' the letter read, 'I’ve been thinking about it a lot. The most fun was the big rock boat climbing out on it and watching you and Noelle playing on it. Near the end of summer when the moon was full, the tide was high. There was that special day when it almost seemed like the boat was real,'" Bush said. ”God bless you Gampy. Until we meet again, maybe out on that rock boat we built together.“

Also involved in Thursday's ceremonies was Reverend Peter Cheney, who serves as the priest at St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Kennebunkport during the summers, where the Bush family attends services.

The 41st President was celebrated not only for his public service, but also for his compassion.

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