WASHINGTON (TNND) — Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral is at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, with several political figures making an appearance.
Cheney, 84 years old, died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease earlier this month.
Former President George W. Bush offered a tribute at the service. Cheney served under Bush for two terms as his vice president.
Bush started his eulogy by calling Cheney a friend, saying that “he was a thinker and a listener.”
“His busy and purposeful life they experienced together,” Bush said. “In a family so close, you dread the day the circle is broken.”
Bush said that Cheney was “proud of his family,” telling the family that he hopes, “it helps to know many people in this country share your sense of loss.”
“If any voters came hoping for a kind word and a hug, they’d have to settle for the kind word,” Bush said of Cheney. “In his final years, he was content to go his way.”
“It’s something to be cherished when a man of his caliber has been your colleague and friend. We are grateful for his good life, we honor his service, and we pray that somewhere up the trail, we will meet him again.”
Liz, Cheney’s daughter and former congresswoman, spoke, saying that Cheney “thought deeply about what this blessing meant, about the duties it imposed.”
“He knew you couldn’t truly appreciate what it means to live in freedom if you didn’t understand the sacrifices of the generations who came before,” she said. “And he made sure that his children and grandchildren understood this, too.”
“My dad’s devotion to America was deep and substantive,” Liz said.
Liz’s children, Elizabeth Perry, Richard Perry, and Grace Perry, recounted their time with Cheney, talking about his love for fishing and watching John Wayne movies.
“He always told us how proud he was of us, and we will always try to follow his example,” said Richard.
Cheney’s cardiologist and friend for 27 years, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, spoke at the funeral, saying that Cheney was one of the calmest people he knew.
“He never looked over his shoulder. He only looked ahead,” Reiner said.
More than 1,000 guests were expected at Cheney’s funeral, including former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, and former vice presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle.
Congressional leaders, past and present, from both sides of the aisle were also in attendance.
Other attendees include Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral; Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences; and Pete Williams, former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and former NBC News correspondent.
Several Supreme Court Justices were also in attendance, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not invited to Cheney’s funeral, according to White House officials.
The memorial service took place on Thursday morning, with Cheney receiving full military honors. Military members brought Cheney’s flag-covered casket into the cathedral, with Cheney’s family following close behind.
“Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing,” the family said in a statement after his death. “We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country. And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.”
Cheney served as the 46th vice president for two terms, from 2001 to 2009, alongside Republican President George W. Bush.
Bush called Cheney’s death “a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends” in a statement when his death was first announced.
Before serving as Vice President to Bush, Cheney served as a Representative for Wyoming, White House Chief of Staff, and Secretary of Defense.
The politician dealt with several heart attacks from cardiovascular disease throughout his life, leading to a heart transplant in 2012.
Cheney is survived by his family, his daughters Liz and Mary, his wife Lynne, and seven grandchildren.
