By Peter.
Washington, D.C., came to a solemn standstill on November 20, 2025, as family, friends, and a rare assembly of former presidents gathered at the Washington National Cathedral for the funeral of Dick Cheney, the influential former U.S. Vice President who died on November 3 at age 84 after a battle with complications from a heart transplant. The service, attended by an estimated 2,000 mourners, blended heartfelt tributes to Cheney’s legacy as a national security hawk with reflections on his personal grit, drawing Democrats and Republicans in a display of unity amid today’s polarized politics.
George W. Bush’s Touching Eulogy: “A Gentleman by Nature, a True Man of the West”
Former President George W. Bush, with whom Cheney served as vice president from 2001 to 2009, delivered a poignant eulogy, painting a portrait of his longtime partner as a steadfast patriot forged in the American heartland. “Dick was a gentleman by nature, and a true man of the West,” Bush said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. He recounted Cheney’s Wyoming ranch roots, his Yale days, and his rise through Ford’s White House, emphasizing a life of quiet resolve amid the storms of 9/11 and the Iraq War. “He loved his country more than his party,” Bush added, drawing nods from across the aisle. Bush’s wife, Laura, and daughter Barbara sat solemnly nearby, underscoring the personal bonds that outlasted politics.
Biden’s Quiet Attendance: A Nod to Shared Service
Former President Joe Biden, who clashed with Cheney over Iraq policy during his Senate days, attended with First Lady Jill Biden, marking a poignant bipartisan gesture. Biden, who eulogized at Ford’s 2006 service alongside Cheney, offered no formal remarks but later told reporters: “Dick was a tough customer, but he loved this country fiercely. We disagreed plenty, but that’s democracy.” His presence, alongside Michelle Obama and the Clintons, highlighted Cheney’s bridge-building in quieter moments.
Liz Cheney’s Poignant Words: “A Giant to the End”
Cheney’s daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), delivered a stirring tribute, sharing her father’s final words amid his fight against ALS: “Keep going, Liz. Don’t stop.” “Dad was a giant to the end,” she said, voice cracking, recounting his Wyoming boyhood, White House counsel days, and unyielding post-9/11 resolve. Liz, a vocal Trump critic like her father, wove in his 2022 Capitol riot condemnation, earning applause from a crowd including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Other speakers included Cheney’s wife, Lynne, who called him “my rock,” and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, praising his “devotion to America over party.” The cathedral, site of Reagan and Ford’s services, rang with hymns and a Marine Corps flyover.
Notable Absences and Political Undertones
Former President Donald Trump and VP JD Vance skipped the event—no invitation extended, per sources—amid Cheney’s vocal 2020 election fraud denunciations and Liz’s House January 6 committee role. The gathering underscored bipartisanship’s fragility, with Rice noting: “Dick put country first—always.”
Cheney’s private burial followed at Arlington, beside his daughter Mary (who died at 46). Tributes poured in: Biden called him a “fierce patriot,” Bush a “dear friend.” X echoed the sentiment: “Cheney’s era defined us—flawed, but devoted” [post:0]; “Bipartisan respect? Rare and beautiful” [post:1].
Dick Cheney’s life—five heart attacks, a transplant, and a vice presidency that reshaped the world—ends with honors befitting a titan. Rest in peace, Mr. Vice President. 🇺🇸🕊️ #DickCheney #CheneyFuneral #BipartisanLegacy
