George H.W. Bush Memorial Features Fun Socks, Touching Tributes

HOUSTON, TX -- The City of Houston celebrated the life of President George H.W. Bush Monday night with songs, socks, and smoking hot chocolate. Photos of Bush were projected on screens in front of city hall as part of a touching tribute to the 41st president who died Friday at the age of 94. The master of ceremonies was Mayor Sylvester Turner.

"It is our privilege as a city to celebrate his life as a neighbor, a neighbor who was influential and important but also one who was down to earth," Turner said to a crowd of about 500 people. "The late president moved his family here for one reason, for opportunity."

The evening included performances from Clay Walker, who sang "Hallelujah," and Yolanda Adams, who sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Houston Symphony also performed during a Bush tribute video.

Volunteer Houston was collecting socks for the elderly near the stage in honor of Bush whose political prowess was matched by his strong sock game. Bush will be interred while wearing socks honoring his lifetime of service, specifically his tenure as a Naval pilot in WWII.

Bush served as president from 1989-1992. He will be buried in his family plot behind the Bush Library at Texas A&M alongside his wife, Barbara Bush, who died earlier this year. The plot is also home to their daughter, Robin, who died in 1953 at the age of 3. The university is also home to The Bush School of Government and Public Service.

The president's casket will arrive in College Station on Thursday. Congressional leaders in Washington D.C. announced that Bush will lie in state at the United States Capitol from Monday. Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. to Wednesday. Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend Bush's funeral at National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Related stories:
George H.W. Bush's Dog Sully Sits Sadly By Casket In Photo

George H.W. Bush's Stellar Sock Game Through The Years

George H.W. Bush Inspires Social Media Outpouring In Houston

George H.W. Bush, President And War Hero, Dies At 94

George H.W. Bush: Public Visitation, Funeral, Burial Details

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Staff writer Feroze Dhanoa contributed to this story

Photos and video by Fernando Alfonso III