Former President George H.W. Bush returns back to Texas for burial

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends and family gathered at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning to honor former President George H.W. Bush.

Bush died Friday night at the age of 94.

His son, former President George W. Bush, gave the last of three eulogies honoring not only his father but a leader dedicated to military service, bipartisanship, responsibility and hard choices.

"Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary, that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values like faith and family," the younger Bush said. "When he lost, he shouldered the blame."

[PHOTOS: President George H.W. Bush state funeral service]

Three former presidents and our country’s current president looked on at Washington National Cathedral as George W. Bush eulogized his dad.

"To us, his was the brightest of a thousand points of light," Bush said.

George W. Bush broke down briefly at the end of his eulogy while invoking the daughter his parents lost when she was 3 and his mother, Barbara, who died in April. He took comfort in knowing "Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom's hand again."

Wednesday's national funeral service capped off three days of remembrance by dignitaries and ordinary citizens.

After Wednesday’s service, Bush was flown back to Houston for a private service with family on Thursday. Special Air Mission 41 touched down in Houston just before 6 p.m.

[READ: List of people who will deliver eulogies at George H.W. Bush’s funeral]

Bush will lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church before burial at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station.

His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953.

On Wednesday morning, a military band played "Hail to the Chief" as Bush's casket was carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where he had lain in state. Family members looked on as servicemen fired off a cannon salute.

His hearse was then driven in a motorcade to the cathedral ceremony, slowing in front of the White House. Bush's route was lined with people much of the way, bundled in winter hats and taking photos.

Bush's death makes former President Jimmy Carter, also 94 but more than 100 days younger, the oldest living ex-president.

President Donald Trump ordered the federal government closed Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at half-staff for 30 days.

7:25 p.m. Pres. Bush has arrived St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston where he will lie in repose  before burial at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station.

5:52 p.m. Special Air Mission 41 about to land in Houston, returning President George H.W. Bush and family back to Texas for his burial.

2:27 p.m. Former President George H.W. Bush's casket departs Washington for final time and flies to his home state of Texas for burial.

2:04 p.m. The hearse carrying President George H.W. Bush has now arrived at Andrews Joint Air Force base.

1:53 p.m. The convoy carrying President George H.W. Bush has now arrived at Andrews Joint Air Force base.

1:27 p.m. The hearse carrying President George H.W. Bush is now en route to Andrews Joint Air Force Base where Special Air Mission 41 will make its way back to Houston.

1:17 p.m. The casket of President George H.W. Bush is now being walked out of the National Cathedral. The Honorary Pallbearers carrying the presidential casket are 13 Naval Officers who commanded CVN-77, USS George H.W. Bush or her carrier strike group.

1:05 p.m. The funeral service for President George H.W. Bush has ended. The president's remains will be transported by Air Force One to Houston, and will lie in repose at the St. Martin's Episcopal Church, where Bush and his wife Barbara first became members in 1959.

1:00 p.m. The Armed Force Chorus with the U.S. Marine Band performs the Navy Hymn, "Eternal Father - Strong To Save."

12:48 p.m. Singer Michael W. Smith performs "Friends" for the congregation.

12:35 p.m. George W. Bush tearfully concludes his eulogy to his father: "Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have...Dad is hugging Robin, and holding mom's hand again."

12:23 p.m. George W. Bush pays tribute to his father: "Those brushes with death made him cherish the gift of life and he vowed to live every day to the fullest."

12:18 p.m. Former Pres. George W. Bush eulogizes his father.

12:13 p.m. Former Sen. Alan Simpson praises George H.W. Bush's humility.

"Those who travel the high road of humility in Washington, D.C. are not bothered by heavy traffic," he jokes.

12:02 p.m. Longtime friend, Alan Simpson, eulogizes former Pres. George H.W. Bush.

11:52 a.m. Brian Mulroney, 18th Prime Minister of Canada, eulogizes former Pres. George H.W. Bush.

11:47 a.m. Jenna Bush speaks at her beloved grandfather George H.W. Bush's funeral.

11:37 a.m. The Bush family listens to historian Jon Meacham eulogize their patriarch, George H.W. Bush.

11:32 a.m. Jon Meacham, George H.W. Bush's biographer, speaks about his heroics during WWII.

11:27 a.m. Former Pres. George H.W. Bush's granddaughters read biblical versus at his funeral

11:18 a.m. Former Pres. George W. Bush greets and shakes hands with each of the living presidents and first ladies at the funeral service for his father, George H.W. Bush.

11:11 a.m. Former Pres. George H.W. Bush's casket is escorted into the National Cathedral for a state funeral.

11:05 a.m. The Bush family observes as a military honor guard prepares to escort former Pres. George H.W. Bush's casket to the National Cathedral.

11 a.m. The motorcade carrying former Pres. George H.W. Bush has reached the National Cathedral for his funeral service in Washington, D.C.

10:52 a.m. At the National Cathedral - Presidents Trump, Obama, Clinton, Carter, in the front row.

10:50 a.m. President Trump and Melania Trump have arrived for the funeral.

10:40 a.m. Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter await the state funeral of former Pres. George H.W. Bush.

10:28 a.m. The Bush family watches at the U.S. Capitol Building as former President George H.W. Bush's casket is loaded into the hearse.

10:20 a.m. The casket carrying former President George H.W. Bush is leaving the U.S. Capitol to head to the National Cathedral for the funeral service.

10:10 a.m. Former President Jimmy Carter has arrived at the National Cathedral.

10:05 a.m. Military honor guard lining the steps of the U.S. Capitol as they await the final departure of former President George H.W. Bush's casket.

Cox Media Group