Ronald Reagan Presidential Library honors President George H.W. Bush

As the nation bids its final farewell to President George H.W. Bush, the Ronald Reagan Foundation is honoring his legacy.

Photos of Bush 41 and former president Ronald Reagan are placed in the lobby of the Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

Visitors on Wednesday signed a condolence book, which will be gifted to the Bush family in Texas.

“This was a man of very significant integrity and dignity but still could do something that is pretty rare today which is laugh at himself,” said Dean McFadden.

Hundreds of heartfelt messages fill the book. Lisa Crowder gave her thanks to the 41st U.S. president.

“I thank him for his service to our country and our world,” said Crowder. “It’s a better world for him being in it”

Many never met President Bush, but Kirby Hanson was one of them. She says she greeted him as his son was being nominated as the Republican Presidential Candidate in 2000.

“What the secret service agent said was, I’d like to introduce my friend Kirby to you Mr. president and he says, ‘Kirby, where’d you get that name? I never knew a girl named Kirby, gee it’s great to meet you this is so exciting to have this event here.’ What that told me was how thoughtful he was,” said Hanson.

On display at the library is a letter President Bush wrote to Mrs. Reagan after losing her beloved Ronnie.

“He wrote it from the heart, he didn’t’ have his secretary re-type it and make it look impersonal,” said Hanson. “It’s in his own handwriting. It says, ‘I loved your man, my president, I really did.”

Bush worked under President Ronald Reagan for eight years as Vice President before becoming the 41st Commander-in-Chief himself.

“I can’t think of a president that we’ve had who was kinder or more courageous than George H.W. Bush,” said Hanson