Washington National Cathedral hosted the funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday, drawing hundreds of mourners including the nation’s current and former leaders to honor one of the most consequential vice presidents in American history.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended the service, joined by a distinguished gathering of former vice presidents including Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle. Former President George W. Bush, under whom Cheney served two terms as vice president, delivered a eulogy for his former second-in-command.
The cathedral’s program indicated that Cheney’s daughter, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, along with several of his grandchildren, also offered remarks during the service. The ceremony was opened by Dr. Jonathan Reiner, Cheney’s longtime cardiologist, who spoke of his patient’s decades-long battle with heart disease, noting that Cheney “suffered a relentless disease intent on killing him but he never looked over his shoulder, only ahead.”
Pete Williams, who served as Cheney’s press secretary during his tenure as Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, shared personal anecdotes that revealed the character of the man behind the public persona. Williams recounted a particularly meaningful moment from 1991 when he offered to resign after learning he was about to be publicly identified as gay by a magazine. According to Williams, Cheney refused to accept the resignation and, in the days following the article’s publication, repeatedly called Williams directly to check on his well-being and encourage him to continue his work.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not invited to the service, according to White House officials and sources familiar with the arrangements. The guest list did include Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi, Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell, as well as political commentators and former government officials.
Cheney passed away on November 3 at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia, cardiac disease, and vascular disease. His family released a statement describing him as “a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.”
The statement continued, expressing gratitude for Cheney’s service and describing him as “a noble giant of a man.”
Throughout his four-decade career in Washington, Cheney established himself as both a polarizing and powerful figure. His service included terms in Congress, a position as Secretary of Defense, and ultimately the vice presidency under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. He played a central role in shaping the nation’s response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including the subsequent war on terror and the invasion of Iraq.
Following Cheney’s death, President Bush issued a statement calling his former vice president “a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held.”
Washington National Cathedral, located just miles north of the White House, has served as the setting for numerous state funerals and memorial services for American presidents and other distinguished public servants, cementing its role as a place where the nation gathers to honor those who have shaped its history.
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