The year was approximately 1978. I was flight attendant employed for Eastern Airlines and was working on a leg from Atlanta Ga. to San Jaun, PR. The first class cabin served one person that leg which is roughly 3.5 hours. The passenger was George H Bush, then The Director of The CIA and soon to be the USA republican candidate.

The aircraft was a Lockead L-1011. There were 28 seats in first class and he had occupied one. The secret service sat nearby behind him and in front of second class.

I was his personal F/A (flight attendant) that day. I was in my mid twenties and extremely ignorant of politics. But, I did know The Bible fairly well as I’d read it a few times from cover to cover.

It was hot that day and I remember that Mr Bush looked disheveled from his campaigning. He had been sweating and his white shirt was hanging out of his trousers from the back. He took a F/C seat and sighed from release from traveling. I offered him a cocktail but he requested iced tea. He sat quietly and relaxed before takeoff.

I served him his meal and put the supplies away. After my service he asked me for a bible.

“Yes,” I said. “We have a Gideans in the overhead bin.” So, I handed it to him and he opened it.

“Please, sit down. Do you have a minute?” Mr. Bush was a complete gentleman. And, he was reading my favorite book.

Delighted, l sat down.

“What do you know about Ezekial and the valley of dry bones?” He has piercing eyes.

I gave him a 25 year old response trying to sound brighter than my knowledge basis. “It’s about the war of Armageddon.”

“Yes, it is. Let’s read it.” He opened to chapter 37. He began to read out loud as I listened intently. “And, what do you think this means.” He was so kind and looked lovingly as if I was a daughter.

Mr. Bush and I finished through to the 39th chapter and perhaps into the first part of 40…

A few hours later, It was time for landing. Sadly, the conversation had come to an end.

I will never forget this time I spent with George H Bush.
True story

©2016 bonnie jennings All Rights Reserved

My mother and I about the age of my conversations with George