Plans For Statue Honoring George H.W. Bush Stall In Greenwich: Report

GREENWICH, CT — Plans to erect a statue honoring former President George H.W. Bush in downtown Greenwich are not moving forward in their current form, according to a new report.

Greenwich Time reports First Selectman Fred Camillo recently confirmed plans for the statue, part of a plan to revitalize Veterans Plaza Park in front of Restoration Hardware in downtown Greenwich, were unanimously rejected by the town's Historic District Commission last week.

According to Greenwich Time, commission members said a statute in the area would detract from and obstruct an existing World War I memorial and obelisk. Camillo said he disagreed with but would respect the commission's vote, and noted the town will explore other places to put the statue.

The proposed statue was revealed by Camillo over the summer to be part of a plan to rededicate the plaza area and "spruce it up." The plaza was first dedicated in 1927.

The project, which was first mentioned in July 2023, would add various water features and lighting in front of the old post office, which is now Restoration Hardware, on Greenwich Avenue next to Arch Street.

Plans called for lighting to be installed to illuminate the 50-foot World War 1 monument and nearby flagpole

See also:

• Greenwich Looks To Revitalize Downtown Plaza, Honor President Bush With Statue
• Former CT Legislator Offers To Pay For George H.W. Bush Statue In Greenwich

In November, Greenwich resident and former state Sen. L. Scott Frantz (R-36) offered to cover the cost of erecting a statue honoring the 41st president of the United States in the downtown area.

Bush spent his formative years in Greenwich when his father, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.

He attended Greenwich Country Day School, and also met his wife of 73 years, the late Barbara Bush, at a dance in town.

When Bush turned 18, he enlisted in the Navy and eventually flew 58 combat missions during World War II, his official White House biography says.

During one mission over the Pacific Ocean, Bush was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire and he was rescued from the water by a U.S. submarine, according to his bio. Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action.

Bush served as the CIA director, ambassador to the United Nations and vice president before he was elected as the 41st president of the United States in 1992.

Bush died on Nov. 30, 2018, at the age of 94.

Read the full Greenwich Time story here.

Includes prior reporting by Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff.