To most, George H.W. Bush was the 41st president of the United States. But young Timothy had a different title for him.
Using a pseudonym, Bush served as the boy’s secret pen pal — writing heartfelt letters to him in the Philippines from 2002 to 2012 as part of a US-based sponsorship program. Copies of the correspondence were obtained by CNN and published online Tuesday night, some in full.
“Dear Timothy … I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids,” wrote Bush in his first letter to the boy. “I live in Texas — I will write you from time to time — Good Luck. G. Walker.”
Bush’s Secret Service team made sure to keep the back-and-forth private, for security reasons. He had gotten the idea to sponsor Timothy at a 2001 Christmas concert in Washington.
“Because the musicians were mostly Christian, they believed in our mission,” recalled Wess Stafford, former president of the American sponsorship group, Compassion International.
“[During intermission] they would tell the audience about us, and ask them if they would like to sponsor a child,” he explained. “All of the sudden, Mr. Bush, who was sitting only a few rows back and surrounded by security, raised his hand and asked for a pamphlet.”
Stafford said Bush’s security team wasn’t surprised.
“His letters were the most sweet, spirited letters I have read from any sponsor,” Stafford remembered. “But [Bush] kept giving hints as to who he could be.”
In one message, the former president flat-out asked if Timothy had ever heard of the White House.
“That’s where the president of the USA lives,” Bush said. “I got to go to the White House at Christmas time. Here is a little booklet that I got at the White House in Washington.”
Bush even went so far as to send a picture of his dog — saying, “Her name is Sadie. She has met a lot of famous people.”
“He was really pushing the envelope,” said Stafford.
Giving gifts to the kids was reportedly a big no-no, but Bush — who died on Nov. 30 — did it anyway.
“Timothy would send him hand drawings and told the President how much he liked art, so he sent over color pencils, sketch pads, and paint,” Stafford said. “I waited for my staff to go to the Philippines and send it with them. They would then bring it to the church Timothy was a part of, so he could collect his gifts.”
As the years went on, Timothy thanked Bush for “not forgetting” him.
“You’re so nice and good,” the boy said in one letter. “I hope you’re in good condition.”
It wasn’t until after Timothy aged out of the sponsorship program that he reportedly learned of his pen pal’s real identity.
“After a while, my executive assistant, Angie Lathrop, took over the sponsorship, and after Timothy graduated at 17, she flew to the Philippines to meet him,” Stafford said. “That’s when she told him who his sponsor really was.”
Stafford added, “We may not know where Timothy is, but we know he’s now living a successful life.”