‘Filling In for My Bride’

Former President George Bush lent his voice Tuesday to raise funds for the Marconi Foundation for Kids and Covenant House California, two nonprofit organizations that provide funds for underprivileged children.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush had been scheduled to speak at the event, held at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin, but she was unable to attend because of back surgery. Much to the delight of the 500 in attendance, Bush, 74, explained that he was “filling in for my bride.”

His speech focused on family and values, but he discussed the Kosovo conflict when pressed. “I have my reservations,” Bush said. “I don’t understand the end game. How do we get out? That causes me great worry. . . . I want to see it clearly defined.”

Bush, who served one term as president and two as vice president under Ronald Reagan, also offered up stories about his mother and his wife. He told how shortly after Reagan delivered a State of the Union speech, Bush’s mother called and told him to smile more while on camera. “I said, ‘Mom, Reagan’s talking about nuclear retaliation,’ ” Bush said, adding that his mother ingrained in him the values he holds dear.

Likewise, he said, he has always respected his wife’s observations. After parachuting from 10,500 feet up in 1997, he asked Barbara what she thought of his performance. “She said, ‘I haven’t seen you free fall like that since the 1992 election.’ ”

Since he left office, Bush has increased his household responsibilities as husband, father and grandfather. Asked about his 53-year-old son’s campaign for president, Bush said he was proud to hear George Jr. would give it a whirl.

“What is it like going from being the president to unemployed?” Bush mused. “Life is good and could not possibly be better.”