The service for dog for late former President George H.W. Bush met the famed pilot he was named after on Thursday. Sully, a yellow labrador, met Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, on the most recent airing of "Today." "It's quite an honor,'' Sullenberger, who led 154 people to safety in 2009 by making an emergency landing on the Hudson River after a malfunction on US Airways Flight 1549, said of their meeting. Sully gained widespread notoriety last year after the dog accompanied Bush's casket as it was flown to Washington, D.C. for memorial services. Sully, a highly-trained service dog who worked with Bush starting in the summer of 2018, made the trip before going back into service to help other ex-veterans. Sullenberger, who has trained guide dogs for more than 20 years, said a photo of Sully appearing to sleep by Bush's casket served as an "iconic image" of the memorial services. "What a vigil he was holding,'' Sullenberger said of the dog. "It was quite a moving image. That was the iconic image for me of the whole service." NBC noted that Sully will work with wounded veterans at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program starting next week. ADVERTISEMENT "It was very important to President Bush that Sully carry on serving veterans, so he chose that Sully wouldn't work for one individual person, but that he would serve many veterans, and the hospital setting is the perfect environment for that,'' Sully's trainer, Valerie Cramer, said on "Today."<doc-sep>Back in November, our country mourned when George H.W. Bush died following a battle with a form of Parkinson's disease. It was then that our nation was also introduced to the President's beloved service dog, Sully, after a photo of him lying next to Bush's casket went viral. This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Thursday morning, the heroic Labrador retriever made an appearance on the Today show alongside his namesake Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger — who bravely landed a plane in the Hudson River in New York City after both engines were disabled. A tearful Jenna Bush Hager explained that her grandfather was hoping to meet the retired airline pilot last summer in Maine, but couldn't when his health began to decline. "This is not supposed to be the first time. My grandpa was such an admirer of yours," Jenna said. "He was regretful that he didn't get to shake your hand." This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Watch Sully the service dog meet his namesake, Captain Sullenberger, who's also rocking a pair of socks President George H.W. Bush would've loved! pic.twitter.com/DM5r69xgoP — TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 21, 2019 Moments later, the captain shook the paw of Sully, which made Hoda Kotb instantly grab for a tissue. After talking about the captain's love of dogs, Jenna had her two daughters, Mila and Poppy, come on and play with Sully as they discussed what the 2-year-old lab is doing nowadays. This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. As Hoda mentioned on the show, Sully will start work next week at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facilities Dog Program in Maryland. Immediately after the President's death, he reportedly went back to America’s VetDogs in Smithtown, New York, for a temporary stay throughout the holiday season. It was also previously revealed that Sully was going to be working with two facility dogs — SGT Dillon and SGT Truman — who provide therapy to wounded soldiers (some recovering from amputations) and active duty personnel. All in all, it's good to know that Sully appears to be doing what he can to bring a smile to those who need it most — just like he did for our former President. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>Hager's daughters, Mila, 5, and 3-year-old Poppy, appeared on Today to shower Sully with love before he leaves for his new assignment Jenna Bush Hager's Daughters Say Goodbye to George H. W. Bush's Service Dog, Sully, Before His Next Assignment Hager’s daughters, Mila, 5, and 3-year-old Poppy, appeared alongside their mom to shower Sully with love before he leaves for his new assignment: working with wounded veterans at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program. Sully begins his new mission next week, according to Today. Get push notifications with news, features and more. “Sully will go on to spread his love at Walter Reed Hospital,” Hager, 37, later wrote on Twitter. “He was a loving companion when my Gampy needed him most. My girls adored him—and wanted a final goodbye…” sully Jenna Bush Hager (center) with her daughters and President George H. W. Bush’s service dog, Sully | Credit: Zach Pagano/NBC News’ TODAY In a reply to a Today viewer, Hager wrote, “We love Sully!” Sully was on Today Thursday for another special reason: He was meeting with his namesake, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who famously landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River in New York City in 2009 after it collided with a flock of geese, knocking out both engines. “It’s quite an honor,” Sullenberger said of meeting Sully. President Bush, who died in November at 94 following deteriorating health, was matched with Sully in June 2018. Over the six months of their relationship, Sully and the 41st president formed a friendship based on loyalty, love and trust — a bond that extended beyond Bush’s death, only months after the passing of his wife, Barbara. “As my family mourned and the world paid tribute, Sully never left my grandfather’s side,” Hager said on Today on Thursday. “He was a fiercely loyal companion to the end.” Former President George H.W. Bush Sully at the funeral of former President George H. W. Bush | Credit: Bill Clark/Congressional Quarterly/Newscom/Zuma She added: “We’re comforted to know Sully will soon bring the same service and joy to many, helping wounded soldiers and hospital patients on their road to recovery.” Sully was joined by his trainer, Valerie Cramer, on Today.<doc-sep>
Sully, meet Sully! A historic summit of Sullys took place on TODAY Thursday when George H.W. Bush's service dog, Sully, met the hero he was named after, pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, and even shook his hand. For more TODAY videos download our mobile app "It's quite an honor,'' Sullenberger said of meeting his namesake. The canine Sully touched hearts as the beloved companion of the 41st president before Bush's death at 94 in November. Sullenberger, 68, is a retired airline captain who saved 155 people aboard US Airways Flight 1549 in 2009 when he safely landed the crippled plane in New York City's Hudson River. Sully was sent to Bush by America's VetDogs, an organization that trains and places service dogs with disabled military veterans and first responders. Bush was a pilot in the Navy who served in World War II. Sully meets Sully! The beloved service dog and hero pilot shared a sweet moment. Zach Pagano/TODAY The dog became such a beloved part of Bush's life that he even had socks with Sully's face on them. The canine also helped comfort Bush in the aftermath of the death of former first lady Barbara Bush at 92 in April. "I think we sometimes don't think of service dogs as helping those that are in their final months, but the comfort that this dog provided my whole family..." TODAY's Jenna Bush Hager said on Thursday. The dog faithfully served to the end, which was captured in a touching photo of Sully in front of Bush's casket. "What a vigil he was holding,'' Sullenberger said. "It was quite a moving image. That was the iconic image for me of the whole service." Sully bonded with the whole Bush family, who called him "Sully H.W. Bush." He was particularly adored by Jenna's daughters, Mila, 5, and Poppy, 3, who made a special appearance on TODAY to give their good buddy a hug before he embarks on his new mission. Sully will be joining the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program starting next week, where he will work with wounded veterans. Jenna Bush Hager's daughters, Poppy and Mila, were reunited with their great-grandfather's pup. Zach Pagano/TODAY "It was very important to President Bush that Sully carry on serving veterans, so he chose that Sully wouldn't work for one individual person, but that he would serve many veterans, and the hospital setting is the perfect environment for that,'' Sully's trainer, Valerie Cramer, said on TODAY. Dogs have also been an important part of Sullenberger's life. His family has been training guide dogs for the blind for more than 20 years, and his oldest daughter is now in school to become a veterinarian after raising guide dog puppies. "It's dear to our heart,'' Sullenberger said. He can also take pride in the fact that the other Sully will continue their custom of helping others in need. "I think he's going to uphold the tradition quite well I can see,'' he said.