We waited in the room for a good ten or fifteen minutes, watching the reporters and security staff get set up outside. before the plane arrived. In another moment, Katie Peck, the campaign staffmember, showed up and gave us more instructions. As soon as the plane arrives, we were to file out onto the tarmac. About the time the stairs were next to the plane, we would line up at the bottom of them and wait.
The John Kerry jet rolled up to the tarmac and stopped. After getting the nod, we walked up to the plane. For a bunch of ex-military, we lined up in most unmilitary-like fashion. This embarassing display would have earned eternal pushups from boot camp company commanders and drill sargeants, so I half-joked a dress right, dress order (only I couldn’t remember the name of the order, being fifteen years removed from boot camp. Bah).
We watched as the Edwards kids winced and plugged their ears at the jet noise. Beth, the vet next to me, remarked how she couldn’t believe no one had gotten them hearing protection. I guess it was more important to have cute pictures of them covering their ears.
A few passengers made their way from the jet. Then we see all the photographers pick up their cameras. Turning around, I saw John Kerry and Elizabeth Edwards both waving animatedly at the Edwards kids. Elizabeth and John stepped off the plane first and made a beeline for the kids. I have to admit getting a little choked up when that reminded me how I feel when I return to Hallie after a trip.
The two families met at the bottom of the stairs and I began snapping pictures from my unique vantage point. After a minute or two, Kerry stepped over to Dick Basile, head of N.C. Veterans for Kerry, and shook his hand. Following him was his wife, Theresa, John Edwards, and Elizabeth.
Kerry stepped in front of me. He glanced up at my ship’s ballcap I was wearing (though he didn’t have to look up far: He’s a bit on the tall side.) and introduced himself. Here was my big chance to say something memorable to the next President of the U.S. and all I can think to tell him was what his pilot told him when they touched down: “Welcome to North Carolina.” I did follow that up with a creative “you’re going to own this state,” which got him to laugh and slap my shoulder. Then before I knew it, he had moved on.
His wife, Theresa, was next. She was cordial, introduced herself and shook my hand, but seemed a bit guarded. She was mysterious, a bit like a gypsy.
Next up was John Edwards. First thing I noticed was that I was taller than him. He smiled as he met me, and I said “welcome back, I’m glad you got the nod.” I think he thanked me before moving on. He seemed a bit tired. I can imagine its been a whirlwind since he joined the team just four days earlier.
Last, but certainly not least was Elizabeth Edwards. This woman radiated warmth like you wouldn’t believe! She seemed genuinely pleased to meet me and bragged about her father’s 30 years of Navy service. Her sincere, upbeat personality just blew me away. I thought Edwards was electric, but he doesn’t hold a candle to his wife.
After they had made their way down the line of veterans, the campaign photographer had us all bunch up and get a picture. John and Elizabeth Edwards ran up to the group for the picture. Elizabeth stood just in front of me, so I thoughtfully put my hand on her shoulder. Hopefully, that shot will serve as proof I was actually there.
Kerry spent some time speaking with a Vietnam vet, a Marine gunny sargeant. Kerry was making plane-like hand gestures as he talked. I snapped a few pictures and later asked the vet what they talked about. He told me that he and Kerry were “in country” in Vietnam around the same time and in the same places. It was obvious Kerry enjoyed comparing notes.
Kerry thanked us and stepped into his waiting van for the trip to the rally. Peck then shooed us quicky back to our vans so we wouldn’t miss our spot in the motorcade. We ran through the huge hanger to get to our vans. About the time we finished buckling up the motorcade had begun filtering out of the airport. Van 16 went by and the bus behind it paused to let us in.
I was now part of an official candidate motorcade. Damn was that cool!
(to be continued)
I was heading to Durham around 4:20 or so on Saturday. Right as I got close to the 540/40 interchange, I saw about 800 cops with lights on in the eastbound lanes, along with a couple of “Southern” tour busses. I figured it must have been y’all.
I waved, but you didn’t see me. 🙂
Here was my big chance to say something memorable to the next President of the U.S. and all I can think to tell him was what his pilot told him when they touched down: “Welcome to North Carolina.”
You should’ve told him that botox is really doing the trick. You can still kinda tell when he is smiling, but other than that, his face is almost completely expressionless.
I want to know who thought it would be a good idea for them to toss a football around on the tarmac. I haven’t seen anything that unnatural since “Cop Rock” was on TV.