George W. Bush Remembers Dick Cheney: A Tribute to the 'Son of Wyoming'

Honoring a Vice President and Friend

• 🗣️ George W. Bush delivered a heartfelt tribute at the National Cathedral, remembering former Vice President Dick Cheney as a man he was proud to call his vice president and friend.
• 💖 Bush highlighted Cheney's gratitude for his family, particularly his wife Lynn and their daughters, emphasizing that choosing Cheney meant embracing his entire family.

A Deliberate Choice for Vice President

• 🔍 In 2000, Bush enlisted Cheney's help to find a running mate, but ultimately realized Cheney himself was the best choice, valuing his preparedness, judgment, rectitude, and loyalty.
• 💡 Cheney, true to his character, analyzed the decision objectively, even presenting reasons why Bush should not choose him, demonstrating his detached and analytical nature.
• 🤝 Bush's father's affirmation, "Son, you couldn't pick a better man," underscored the wisdom of his decision.

A Life of Service and Steadiness

• 🛤️ Cheney's career, which he described as an adventure where one job led to another, began from humble beginnings, including laying transmission lines, and progressed to Chief of Staff under President Ford.
• 🌟 President Ford recalled Cheney's steadiness, low-key style, and absolute loyalty, traits that were formative and highly valued.
• 🤐 Unlike many in politics, Cheney was a thinker and listener, sparing with words but precise when he spoke, embodying a disciplined and unexcitable mind.

A True Man of the West

• 🗳️ Cheney never lost an election, demonstrating an appeal that resonated with voters, particularly in his home state of Wyoming.
• 😊 Bush described Cheney as smart, polished, courteous, approachable, and a gentleman, with a style that was more easygoing than his public image suggested.
• 🇺🇸 Bush chose Cheney for Vice President not once, but twice, reaffirming his confidence in Cheney's ability to handle pressure, responsibility, and criticism.

Legacy of Substance and Devotion

• 🛡️ Cheney's memoir, "My Time," reflected an old breed of public servant defined by substance and character, devoted to protecting the United States and its interests without personal agenda.
• ❤️ His greatest concerns and ambitions were for his country, demonstrated through 40 years of consistent, faithful, and noble service.
• 🩺 Cheney also faced significant health challenges, becoming an authority on cardiovascular disease, showcasing remarkable physical endurance and determination.
• 🌟 His final reflection, valuing friendships above all else, encapsulates a life well-lived, leaving a fine mark as the "son of Wyoming."