Former President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara both hospitalized

Former President George H.W. Bush along with his wife, Barbara Bush, have both been hospitalized, according to a statement made by their spokesman, Jim McGrath, on Wednesday.

The Senior George Bush, father of forty-third president George W. Bush, sought medical treatment on Saturday as a result of “an acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia.”

McGrath went on to explain that, “Doctors performed a procedure to protect and clear his airway that required sedation.”

According to the spokesman, President Bush is recovering well from the treatment.  His wife, Barbera, was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday morning as a safety precaution due to fatigue and coughing.

George H.W. Bush has been reported as “doing fine” by his chief of staff, Jean Becker, when asked by the Houston Chronicle.  He reportedly sent a letter to President Elect Donald Trump apologizing for his inability to attend Trump’s January 20^th inauguration for health reasons.

“Barbara and I are so sorry we can’t be there for your inauguration on January 20th,” Bush wrote in a letter to Mr. Trump last week.  “My doctor says if I sit outside in January, it likely will put me six feet under,” he added. “Same for Barbara, So I guess we’re stuck in Texas.”

He concluded the brief letter by saying, “But we will be with you and the country in spirit.  I want you to know that I wish you the very best as you begin this incredible journey of leading our great country.  If I can ever be of help, please let me know.”

Donald Trump exchanged verbal blows with Jeb Bush, George senior’s second son and younger brother to George W, throughout the Republican primaries, frequently referring to him as “low energy Jeb,” but it would seem the former President isn’t holding any grudges against the President Elect.

George H.W. Bush served only one term as President of the United States from 1989 to 1993, which stands as the pinnacle of an incredible career in service to our nation that spanned decades.  He also served as Vice President under legendary Republican Ronald Reagan, was a U.S. Congressmen, ambassador, and the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Bush was also a decorated Navy pilot, the youngest in the American Navy at the time he served, after choosing to postpone college to enlist after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.  During one combat mission, he and his copilot were forced to bail out of their TBM Avenger after encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire, but not before Bush completed his bombing run and limped the damaged aircraft away from enemy forces on the island of Chichijima.  After being rescued by the lifeguard submarine USS Finback, Bush remained on the sub for the following month, participating in other rescue operations of downed pilots.

Bush revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease a few years ago, leaving him unable to walk.  He has previously been hospitalized for shortness of breath and, in July of 2014, for falling and breaking a vertebra in his neck, but the Navy aviator turned politician has gained a reputation for being tough.  Despite health concerns, he celebrated his 90^th birthday in the same way he celebrated his 80^th and 85^th: by jumping out of an airplane.

May he and his wife both have a speedy recovery.

Feature image courtesy of Bio