OPINION | Barry Richard: Trump Should Attend Barbara Bush’s Funeral

President Trump will not attend the funeral of former First Lady Barbara Bush. Current First Lady Melania Trump will represent the nation at the service in Houston tomorrow.

In my view, it is disrespectful for a sitting or past president to skip the funeral of a former First Lady. I have been critical of Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama for missing the funerals of First Ladies who have died in recent years, and now it's Trump's turn.

The women who have served our nation in the role of First Lady have done so with distinction and honor. They are not elected, nor are they paid. Yet they provide a tremendous service to the country. Therefore, they should be treated with the utmost respect they deserve.

Barbara Bush was married to President George H.W. Bush for 72 years, until her death at 92 years old on Tuesday. Prior to that, she served as the vice president's wife, an ambassador's wife, the wife of a member of Congress, and the wife of the head of the CIA. She was also the mother of President George W. Bush, only the second woman in U.S. history to be both the wife and mother of a president. She raised two governors.

Mrs. Bush was a great role model for family values and literacy initiatives that helped millions of children. She was a strong leader who led by example and earned the respect and admiration of people the world over. Her legacy is an amazing one.

Barbara Bush deserves to be honored by the presence of all living presidents at her funeral.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.