Most people knew the late George H.W. Bush as the 41st president of the United States, but for one Filipino kid, he was just a regular man named George Walker.
A story published by CNN today revealed how Bush, who died last month at the age of 94, used the pseudonym when he sponsored a Filipino boy identified only as “Timothy” from 2002 to 2012.
He did this as part of the US-based sponsorship program run by non-profit organization Compassion International, the report states.
For a decade, Bush sent money for Timothy’s education as well as extracurricular activities.
The non-profit organization shared some of the letters to CNN, and a spokesperson from Bush’s office confirmed that the letters are indeed legit.
The first letter Bush sent was dated Jan. 24, 2002, CNN wrote.
Bush wrote: “Dear Timothy, I want to be your new pen pal. I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids; and though we have not met I love you already. I live in Texas – I will write you from time to time – Good Luck. G. Walker.”
In the same CNN report, Wess Stafford, the former president of Compassion International revealed that Timothy would send the former president drawings as well.
For security reasons, Bush would use Stafford as a middleman who would screen the letters before sending it out.
Apparently, Bush would drop hints about his identity every now and then, breaking some security rules.
The first hint was when Bush sent Timothy a photo of their dog, CNN reported.
“Here is a picture of our dog. Her name is Sadie. She has met a lot of famous people,” Bush wrote.
One of the more obvious ones was when Bush told Timothy that he was going to the White House for Christmas.
“‘We’re going to have Christmas this year with my son at his house,'” Stafford quoted Bush when he spoke with The Gazette.
“And then he adds, ‘Oh, and he lives in a big, white house.’ And I’m like, ‘Come on, Mr. President. You are really pushing the envelope here’,” Stafford added.
But even after the subtle and not-so-subtle hints, Timothy didn’t catch on.
His penpal’s identity was only revealed to him when he graduated from the sponsorship program at 17.
“After a while, my executive assistant, Angie Lathrop, took over the sponsorship, and after Timothy graduated at 17, she flew to the Philippines to meet him. That’s when she told him who his sponsor really was,” Stafford was quoted by CNN.
Timothy was shocked but thankful, The Gazette added. That encounter was the last time the non-profit heard from Timothy.
Bush got the idea to sponsor a child in 2001 when he attended a Christmas concert in Washington.
Stafford told CNN that the musicians were mostly Christians and during intermissions, they’d tell the audience about Compassion International and asked if anyone in the audience would like to sponsor a child.
“All of the sudden, Mr. Bush, who was sitting only a few rows back and surrounded by security, raised his hand and asked for a pamphlet.”
We’re not crying. You are.
