NACDS’ Anderson remembers George H.W. Bush
As former President George H.W. Bush’s casket made its way to College Station, Texas, Thursday for his interment on the grounds of his presidential library, National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson reflected on his life and the organization’s relationship with the Bush family.
President George H.W. Bush spoke to the NACDS Board of Directors in 2000 as part of what was then the NACDS Marketplace Conference. Former first lady Barbara Bush spoke at the 2001 NACDS Annual Meeting, former first lady Laura Bush was the keynote speaker at the 2009 NACDS Foundation Dinner and former President George W. Bush gave the keynote address at the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting. Most recently, former Florida governor, Jeb Bush, as well as Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush all spoke at various events during the 2018 NACDS Annual Meeting shortly after they laid former first lady Barbara Bush to rest.
“NACDS has had a wonderful relationship with President Bush and his family for many years.” Anderson said. “They have always answered our calls, and they have honored the NACDS membership with their warmth and presence.”
Anderson noted that on Tuesday evening, while the deceased President Bush lay in state in the Capitol rotunda, he went to pay his respects.
“It was amazing standing in line for two hours and just observing the thousands of people who were waiting with me: a true cross-section of Americans and some from other countries,” he said. “When I came out of the Capitol the night was brighter because of the flood lights and the TV crews, lighting up the silhouettes of thousands of people waiting to go in. Although I have been in the Capitol Building countless times over the many years, I was so heartened by all that I observed and my sense that the others felt the same way.”
President George H.W. Bush spoke to the NACDS Board of Directors in 2000 as part of what was then the NACDS Marketplace Conference. Former first lady Barbara Bush spoke at the 2001 NACDS Annual Meeting, former first lady Laura Bush was the keynote speaker at the 2009 NACDS Foundation Dinner and former President George W. Bush gave the keynote address at the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting. Most recently, former Florida governor, Jeb Bush, as well as Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush all spoke at various events during the 2018 NACDS Annual Meeting shortly after they laid former first lady Barbara Bush to rest.
“NACDS has had a wonderful relationship with President Bush and his family for many years.” Anderson said. “They have always answered our calls, and they have honored the NACDS membership with their warmth and presence.”
Anderson noted that on Tuesday evening, while the deceased President Bush lay in state in the Capitol rotunda, he went to pay his respects.
“It was amazing standing in line for two hours and just observing the thousands of people who were waiting with me: a true cross-section of Americans and some from other countries,” he said. “When I came out of the Capitol the night was brighter because of the flood lights and the TV crews, lighting up the silhouettes of thousands of people waiting to go in. Although I have been in the Capitol Building countless times over the many years, I was so heartened by all that I observed and my sense that the others felt the same way.”