OT: My Experience of President Ford

President Gerald R. Ford We have all heard on TV this week about how down to earth President Ford was. I would like to share with you all, how I remember President Ford. In 1976 I was stationed at Plattsburgh AFB, New York which is about an hour away from Montreal, Canada where the Summer Olympics were being held. The American team was staying and training at the University of Plattsburgh prior to heading for the opening ceremony in Montreal. Word came out that President Ford would be flying into the base to go and wish the Olympic team good luck in their Olympic events. My wife and my two young sons, one age 6 and the other age 11 went over to the terminal to see the arrival of the President. There was a very large crowd of people standing around waiting for Air Force One to pull up. We had arrived early enough to be standing in the front row at the rope line. The President walked the rope line shaking hands with everyone he could. My wife, I, and my 11 year old all shook his hand as he was escorted along with the Secret Service Agents. As he finished shaking hands and started to move on down the line, my 6 year old son was upset because he did not shake the President's hand so being as short as he was, he just walked under the rope and headed down the line for the President. Of course the Secret Service agents saw him coming and they stopped and President Ford saw this little kid. He walked back to him, shook his hand gave him a hug and proceeded on down the line. My son ran back to where we were with a big ole smile on his face while those folks waiting to greet President Ford cheered. For that reason and many others I always had the greatest respect for him as a man and as the President of the United States. So when they now talk about what a kind and simple man he was, I know it is true. It appears he never changed.

Dan, Thanks for sharing such a nice story. An experience your family will never forget. Happy New Year! Floyd

What a wonderful memory to share. Thanks. I always thought he was a pretty good guy. to bad there aren't more like him.

Dan, WOW that was a wonderful moment for your son and family. When I read that it brought tears to my eyes and a big smile as if you could almost see your son running up to him and getting stopped by these men in black suits. Thank you for sharing that with us. Bonnie

What a nice story!!! And thank you for your service!!!

Dan, That was so sweet! Does your son remember that? Seeing how I'm a little bit older than your son (I'm 45), I have an autographed photo of President Nixon and his family. I think my school's class wrote letters to the White House when I was 5 or 6 and got the postcard pictures in return. Sherri