Jenna Bush Hager Pays Tearful Tribute To George H. W. Bush On 100th Heavenly Birthday

Jenna Bush Hager is celebrating the memory and legacy of her departed grandfather, former president George H. W. Bush. This is a particularly poignant occasion as it would have been his 100th birthday. His birthday falls on June 12 and he passed away on November 30, 2018, at the age of 94.

Together with his wife Barbara, who died the same year at the age of 92, Bush had six children; from there, the couple has 17 grandchildren. While the Today with Hoda and Jenna host was among those to share a heartfelt speech in his honor, most of his family also honored the former president in a unique way: skydiving.

Jenna Bush Hager pays tribute to George H. W. Bush on what would have been his 100th birthday

On Wednesday, the day of her grandfather’s 100th heavenly birthday, Jenna took time aside during Today to speak of Bush, who she nicknamed Gampy. “We all miss him so dearly and on this day,” Jenna said, “I’m remembering the lessons he taught us and finding comfort in his ever-present love.”

She also wrote a “therapeutic” letter in which she listed out all the things she and the extended Bush family misses about the former president. Those she and her family long for again include his letters and emails, as well as his rules, which include “Don’t be afraid to shed a tear when your heart is broken, or when a friend is hurting. Nobody likes an over-bearing big shot. As you succeed, be kind to people, thank those that help you along the way.”

“You have been gone for 8 years,” she says in closing, “but we feel you still as we look into the sky and see a thousand points of light, and simple acts of love, and in the smile’s of your great-grandchildren.”

The family also honored him with one of his favorite activities

There was another way that the family as a whole has honored George H. W. Bush that may come as a surprise to anyone new to his old hobby. His children and grandchildren alike went skydiving onto the lawn of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

The reason for this daring leap of faith of a celebration is because every fifth birthday, Bush himself would go skydiving, right up until he was 90. Seven of Bush’s grandchildren made the jump, as did his son Marvin Bush.

“I feel very invigorated and inspired by my dad’s jumping on his 75th, 80th, 85th and 90th birthdays,” said Marvin. “It’s a great lesson to people as they age to just live life to the fullest.”