CEILING AND VISIBILITY UNLIMITED - The Passing of President George H.W. Bush

President George H.W. Bush passed away last night.

I was just watching a news segment from CNN regarding his passing, and one of the featured guests shared a somewhat curious bit of information.

“The family members of the late president had agreed beforehand on a codeword which would be used among them to announce the death of this great man, and their beloved relative.”

“CAVU”

The woman went on to elaborate on this acronym.

“President Bush and every other pilot who ever flew a plane was aware of the meaning of ‘CAVU.’ As a matter of fact, the late great president had a plaque on his study wall which featured this word.”

“Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited”

She continued.

“Who can forget the old film footage of the young WWII pilot named ‘Bush’ as he climbs out of his fighter plane; having been shot down by the Japanese, and picked up by a passing American submarine? It was not for nothing he had this word inscribed on a plaque and hung it on his wall.

“You may not have heard the acronym ‘CAVU,” but I think the meaning of ‘Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited’ is pretty obvious to anyone. The implication is that there are little or no clouds in the sky, and a pilot can see to the distant horizon.”

As I understand it, President Bush was not only a modest man, but he was a man of faith. His wife, Barbara, died last year, and he desperately looked forward to seeing her again. The Bush family had good reason to choose the codeword, CAVU to share the news of his passing.

The skies are safe around him now. The sky is blue, the air is clear, and, no doubt, he can see to the furthest horizon.

Last night the grand old pilot heard an ethereal, disembodied voice calling out to him. 

"Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited. Prepare for takeoff."

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright Pending

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