Bush's funeral a farewell to WWII's 'greatest generation'

It wasn't just a salute to a president, it was a tribute to a generation.

President George H. W. Bush was remembered during more than two days of ceremonies and services in Washington as the last president forged from World War II, 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," former President George W. Bush said of his father at the funeral on Wednesday.

Former President Jimmy Carter, and Rosalynn Carter hold hands as they walk from a State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP PhotoCarolyn Kaster)

"When he lost, he shouldered the blame," Bush added.

Bush spoke to an audience only sprinkled with other members of what's been called "the greatest generation." There are few left among Washington's elite. Congress said goodbye to its last World War II veterans in 2015. In the audience was former Sen. Bob Dole, 95, a veteran of the same war, who on Tuesday rose from his wheelchair with assistance to salute Bush's casket under the Capitol Rotunda. President Jimmy Carter, 94, who spent the war years at the Naval Academy, attended with his wife, Rosalynn.

"George Herbert Walker Bush was America's last great soldier-statesman, a 20th century founding father," historian Jon Meacham told the invitation-only crowd at Washington National Cathedral. "He governed with virtues that most closely resemble those of ... men who believed in causes larger than themselves."

Former Sen. Bob Dole salutes the flag-draped casket containing the remains of former President George H.W. Bush as he lies in state at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP PhotoManuel Balce Ceneta)

Implicit in messages was the notion that some of those values are slipping from public life.

Listening in the front row were former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump, none of whom fought in the wars of their time. Neither Clinton, Obama nor Trump served in the military.

Added former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney: "I believe it will be said that no occupant of the Oval Office was more courageous, more principled and more honorable than George Herbert Walker Bush."

Former Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson, 87, described Bush as "one of nature's noblemen."

"He often said: 'When the really tough choices come, it's the country, not me. Not about Democrats or Republicans, it's for our country that I fought for.''"

Follow Kellman on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman

LONDON (AP) — Former England soccer manager Gareth Southgate has been given a knighthood in the New Year Honors list.

Southgate led England to two consecutive European Championship finals and the 2018 World Cup semifinals, making him the most successful incumbent since Alf Ramsey.

The 54-year-old Southgate, who left the role shortly after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July, became the fourth former England manager to receive a knighthood, after Ramsey, Walter Winterbottom, and Bobby Robson.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing Gerald Davies was also knighted. He served as president of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Nine-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft, who has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and Olympic 800-meter gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson, who becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), are among stars of Britain’s Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic teams to have been honored.

Athletics stars Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who won her first Olympic medal with heptathlon silver in Paris, and three-time medalist Dina Asher-Smith, were made MBEs.

Alan Hansen, the former Liverpool great, got an MBE and David Moyes, most recently the manager of West Ham, received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Dawn Astle, who set up the Jeff Astle Foundation to campaign for more research into head injuries in soccer on behalf of her father, who died of dementia in 2002, was made an MBE.

The awards given out by monarchs as part of orders of chivalry since the Middle Ages are now vetted by a government committee before being passed on to the prime minister and King Charles III.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports

FILE - England's manager Gareth Southgate celebrates after winning the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match against Denmark at Wembley stadium in London, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool, File)