Met the POTUS today

[Faulkner]

No politics here, just a report out of my brief meeting with the President of the United States. It was not my first meeting of a POTUS, as President Clinton is from Arkansas and I've had numerous opportunities to meet him when he was the state's attorney general, governor, and later as POTUS when he returned to visit.

I've been working TDA (temporary duty assignment) down in the storm stricken area since the tornado devastated the communities of Vilonia and Mayflower, Arkansas. Today, the President of the United States came in to tour the storm zone along with the Governor of Arkansas, a US Senator and a House Representatives from Arkansas, and some local officials including the county judge, sheriff, and the two mayors. It was the current President's first ever visit to Arkansas as Air Force One flew in to the Little Rock Air Force Base, then they hopped on Marine One (a VH-60N "Whitehawk") and did an aerial tour of the tornado's path. They then landed and caravanned via black SUV's directly into the destroyed town of Vilonia where the President and entourage did a walking tour through what was once a residential area.

I was assigned as a local LE liaison with one of the Secret Service units. I've worked with governor's security details in several states in the past, but I was very impressed with the Secret Service agents and their attention to detail and organizational ability. It was obvious to this Ozark deputy sheriff that this was not their first rodeo. Also got to visit with the aircrew of Marine One and the V-22 Osprey that flew in the support teams.

I am acquainted with Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and I know U.S. Representative Tim Griffin very well. I was standing at my post in my best class A uniform along the walking route when Representative Griffin saw me and motioned me over. After greeting Tim and Governor Beebe, the governor introduced me to the President and we exchanged a handshake.

The President asked, "Deputy Faulkner, did you or your family experience any loss or damage from the storm?"

"No sir," I replied, "I am from a department in another county. We experienced a flood a couple of years ago and a lot of people from this community came and helped us. My department and I are here to support our neighbors. It's what Americans do."

"Indeed it is, I am very impressed with the response from the surrounding communities. It is obvious that the spirit of volunteerism is strong here." He paused, then we shook hands again. "Nice to meet you."

"Thank you, sir." I replied and stepped back as they continued on the tour and then I returned to my post.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

One of my buddies from the Vilonia Police Department

 

[Viss]

That's as cool as it gets!

 

[scott1970]

I would have enjoyed seeing Marine One in person.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Good story, Faulkner. I met Carter at a friend's father's memorial service, and as a Boy Scout provided a color guard for Ford.

No matter who it is at the time, meeting the man holding that office is something to remember.

That Osprey is one crazy bird. I saw several of them the other day.

 

[Edmo]

Faulkner, I send a salute to you for your service to our community.

I live about 9 miles southeast of Vilonia and fortunately didn't have any issues. As you know, it was a very strong storm which caused a lot of damage.

It is amazing that Vilonia was also hit 3 years ago with a storm following a very similar track.

Edmo

 

[Kitgun]

I've had George H. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jerry Ford in my office. Not at same time but they were all there.

 

[pawncop]

That is pretty cool.

I had the honor of guarding then candidate George Bush when he ran for governor of Texas back in the day.

I had arrived to just listen to speak when my patrol captain pulled me aside and asked if I was armed and I assured him I was. He needed three (3) more to complete the detail and I was put to work. It was not a big crowd but my job was to stay close to him and watch the crowd.

 

[Llando88]

Cool story. Thanks for posting.

 

[sigp220.45]

That is awesome! Congrats on a memorable event.

 

[j38]

++++ Way to go!

Jerry

 

[sophie]

Thanks for sharing that story. I see the Osprey pretty regular in the skies here. They are made just outside of town. Never got to meet a president though. Great story.

 

[dcxplant]

Respect for the office is the American way. Well done, and a neat story.

Meeting the most powerful person on the planet is indeed a special and memorable event.

If only disagreement and respect could be deployed in equal amounts in all facets of our society... what a wonderful situation that would be.

-edit: You handled yourself with much more dignity than our AZ Governor Jan Brewer did when she met him. Again, nicely done.

 

[dmar]

That's an odd bird. And the plane is pretty strange, too...

Cool story, thanks for sharing.

 

[Old TexMex]

Respect for you and prayers for your neighbors. Quite an honor meeting the President, well done Sir.

As a kid I met the Vice President Johnson, then in '85 I was escort to Sec. Of Treasury James Bakers' daughter in Mexico. (not much of a vacation, I can tell you)

 

[Tom K]

That is one slick-looking V22. I went to work as an engineer for Rockwell International straight out of college in 1980, and in '86 was loaned out to Boeing-Vertol in Philadelphia to do some design work on the V22. I sometimes wonder if anything that I designed on that machine is still current. Doubt it.

 

[Texas Star]

Are the Marine crews of those birds armed? Or just the Secret Service?

My exposure to presidents was to Nixon as a kid when he walked past me in a crowd at the Texas state fair and to JFK when I helped Secret Service and OSI protect him at the USAF academy a few months before he was slain in Dallas.

I think I was 12 when I heard Kennedy, still a senator, make a speech in Congress while vacationing in Wash., D.C. I was already watching the news a lot and knew who he was.

I'd like to meet George W. Bush.

A friend met a former British Prime Minister. His bodyguard was carrying a S&W M-36, with the old RN lead bullets. My friend was a college dean, but also director of campus security where the ex PM was visiting. My pal gave the guard some lead HP Plus P ammo, for which he was thankful.

 

[perrazi]

the aircraft are neat.

 

[Mcwsky09]

I know it's the thing to do but I always wonder just what exactly is the purpose of the president visiting such areas? What is the benefit or the upside for the locals? It's not like he is personally doing anything or has some knowledge or expertise that requires hands on, right? Maybe in cases like Katrina some decisions or authorizations need to be made at that level. Just seems to me more of a PR stunt that anything else.

Not trying to detract from your story or dismiss the effects of such things on people and the need for recovery and healing etc.

 

[lowriderfxr]

I don't agree with everything our President does, but its the American way to handle yourself with respect and dignity when addressing the President, especially if you are in public service. I would have handled myself in the same manner as you did. Great story, great honor.

 

[charlie sherrill]

While in Jr. High I met Lyndon Johnson while he was campaigning for V.P. I met President Reagan back in the 80's.