For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life abov — Robert Eugene Bush

"Everyone should learn the meaning of that famous little four-letter word- work."

"Bob laughs when Wanda, to this day, gets a kind of dreamy expression as she describes meeting JFK at a White House reception. "He looked right into my eyes," she says, "and even though I didnt vote for him, I certainly thought he was handsome and charming." Mick remembers another reception for the Congressional Medal of Honor winners. Former president Harry Truman was the speaker. Mick was just ten years old but he could hardly believe what he was hearing. Truman was recalling his favorite Medal of Honor recipient. The former president said it was a young man from the West Coast who had promised his mother that he was going into the service to help people, not to kill them. Mick knew Truman was talking about his dad, but Bob did nothing to draw attention to himself, not even when he introduced Mick to Truman as the reception was winding up."

"I remember thinking as the Japanese were attacking, Well, they may nail me but Im going to make them pay the price."

"Bob Bush was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous valor on Okinawa, but it was the thought of Wanda that got him home alive. Together they have had memorable moments as a result of that medal, and certainly the prosperity that came with Bobs business success was a dividend, but it is their enduring love for each other and the family they had together that is their greatest accomplishment."

"Rick was also struck by the modesty of the Medal of Honor winners. He noticed something else about those common men who acted with uncommon valor. "For them," he says, "responsibility was their juice. They loved responsibility. They took it head-on, and anytime they could get a task and be responsible, that was what really got em going." Nonetheless, Rick struggled for a time as a teenager when he realized what hed have to live up to with Bob as a father. He acknowledges they clashed over lifestyle and values for a while, but he always tried to understand what his father had been through in the Depression and the war. As he puts it, "I try to assimilate his values but I also try to show him the difference." Bob has another way of describing it. "Rick," he says, "is a Porsche and I am a Volkswagen."

"The boys, Mick and Rick, also have a keen appreciation of Bobs business skills. They followed him into the company, but on Bobs terms. He sold each of them a lumberyard and building-supply store so they could be independent. As he put it, "Im not going to give you the business. Im going to give you the opportunity." He financed the purchases but theyve had to make the payments. Hes also available for advice, including the Bob Bush rules for operating a successful business. He told the boys that when theyre asked how the business is going, answer "Good," never say "Great," because your customers will think youre doing too well. Dont say "Terrible" because theyll think youre about to go broke. He also told them to stay away from personal relationships with women who work in the business, and from stating their personal opinions about politics and religion in the office. For their part, theyve gotten him to relax a little more. As Rick says, "Hell now play nine holes of golf. In the past hed only play six holes before rushing back to the office." Susan thinks shes helped him lower the emotional walls a bit. She says, "He is a lot more loving and he hugs more than he used to, hes a lot more emotional and openly affectionate." Bob listens to all of this with a mixture of pride and amusement."