Politics

George H.W. Bush 'Very Much Regrets' Missing His Hometown Parade Due to Hospitalization

"Both he and Mrs. Bush LOVED going every year. He was very sorry to miss this time," spokesman Jim McGrath told PEOPLE

Published on May 28, 2018 07:00 PM

For the first time in decades, George H.W. Bush has missed the annual Memorial Day parade in his vacation hometown of Kennebunkport, Maine.

“Very much regret missing the Memorial Day parade today in Kennebunkport,” the 41st president, 93, tweeted on Monday.

“Am forever grateful not only to those patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation — but also the Gold Star families whose heritage is imbued with their honor and heroism,” Bush concluded his tweet.

Many parade attendees expressed their sadness regarding Bush’s absence as many also remembered the late Barbara Bush, who died at age 92 on April 17. This year’s celebration also marked the first parade to take place after the Bush matriarch’s passing.

“Both he and Mrs. Bush LOVED going every year. He was very sorry to miss this time,” spokesman Jim McGrath told PEOPLE.

“First time in decades that we’re missing the Bush family,” one wrote on Twitter.

“The community will surely be missing George and Barbara Bush this year,” another attendee shared.

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RELATED VIDEO: George H.W. Bush Returns to Family Compound in Maine One Month After Death of Wife Barbara

Bush remains in Biddeford’s Southern Maine Health Care where he was taken on Sunday after experiencing low blood pressure and fatigue,” McGrath said in a statement shared on social media, adding, Bush “will likely remain there for a few days for observation. The former president is awake and alert, and not in any discomfort.”

Bush returned to Kennebunkport on May 20 and received a hero’s homecoming with hundreds of well-wishers waiting and lining the streets waving American flags.

The former president spent nearly two weeks in the hospital following his wife’s funeral in Texas after “contracting an infection that spread to his blood,” according to McGrath.