After another couple of weeks reassignments came through, and mine were to the station hospital at Ft. Benning, Georgia which was under the command of eagle colonel then one-star General Hill. A dispensary assignment for several weeks near the bases of the "jump towers" where the airborne recruits were introduced to the basics of parachuting was followed by a stint in the station hospital doing general surgery. Lt. Col. Gordon, chief of surgery, proved to be an excellent teacher and additional exposures to his teachings might have convinced me to again sway my preference toward surgery as a specialty. But one of the eagle colonels (an orthopedist) also took me under his wing motivated by what seemed an attempt to get me to bid for regular army duty. Unfortunately, my personal orientation and adaptation was basically turned off by military life, and the temptations to me were not serious. One example occurred while I was on dispensary duty when a Mrs. Colonel called the OD late one afternoon indicating she had found a sick child at home upon returning from a club outing and requesting an immediate house call. The administrative OD informed her that the dispensary remained open and medical officers on duty who would be glad to examine the child. In a huff, she angrily hung up after declaring she would get Gen'l. Hill to make it happen.
I was the next on call for such special assignment and within 15 minutes was called by the Gen'l and requested to make the house call. I was aware of the woman's demanding behavior with the MAC major and objected to her modus operandi which had resulted in the General's intervention. I protested the overriding order by informing the General that I would comply if he deemed his request to me to be an order, which he quickly affirmed. (The child had a fever and sore throat and was taken to the dispensary for a shot of penicillin and recovered uneventfully. ) However the next day we medics were chided in a lecture by the General who observed that never before had he has to order a doctor to see a patient. He didn't seem to bear any grudges, but it obviously was not one of my brighter actions.
As a result following a Friday to Sunday night VOCO I drove from Fort Benning to Fort Smith over a long week-end. It became apparent that the continued indefiniteness of our relationship was more than JaNell wanted to experience, and she terminated it when I responded negatively to her question of "aren't you going to take me back with you?". My pin was subsequently mailed back to me. A number of additional factors were also at play. Although the relationship ended with significant doubts and residual regrets on my part, they were insufficient to dissuade me from my basic reasoning. We exchanged a few letters but I never saw her again.
As an Extern in Ft. Smith, Saint Edwards Hospital I had my first up close exposure to a Catholic environment. Sister Canisius, a highly skilled surgical nurse, was responsible for a majority of the girl's surgical training. She was excellent and a very nice person, although I sensed that the interest we externs manifest in the students imposed some new challenges to her Mother Superior role.
Jan. 20th FDR's 4th inauguration.
Feb. 4, Assault on Iwo Jima began and Manila "liberated".
During the spring and summer of 1945 there were five surprise filled months when the world changed forever. The Nazi Thousand Year Reich was destroyed, Japan bombed into defeat, the United Nations born, the atomic age launched, colonialism began to die and the seeds of the cold war were planted. The mighty change from war to peace began.
Mar. 30th FDR to Warm Springs, Ga., exhausted from the trip and meetings with Churchill & Stalin at Yalta.
April FDR died from CVA @ 3:35 pm. on 12th, Mr Truman who was living at 4701 Conn. Ave., N.W. was sworn in. FDR buried on 15th at Hyde Park.
Apr 24/25 UN Assembly began in San Francisco.
Apil 29: Adolph Hitler married Eva Braun.
April 27, Mussolini shot in Dongo, Italy.
April 30: Hitler and Braun committed suicide!
May 2nd: Berlin surrendered but it was not announced until the 8th. On V.E. DAY the Truman's moved from Blair House into the White House.
mid May: invasion of JAPAN SET FOR Nov. 1st.
June* Okinawa fell.
July 24th - Potsdam conference in progress.
July 25th* Churchill left Potsdam for London & the election and didn't return for he was defeated.
July 26th: Potsdam Declaration issued.
Aug. 5th* Truman sailed for home from Potsdam.
Aug. 6th: Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima by Col Paul Tibbets from the Enola Gay.
Aug. 8th: Molotov announced to the Jap ambassador SATO that the [... sic]
Aug. 9th: A Bomb #12 in Bock's Car to Nagaski. by MAJOR Charles W. Sweeney., it fell 1 1/2 miles off target.
Tues. Aug. 14th:, 7 pm: Truman announced the war to be over.
Aug. 19: 16 man delegation of Japanese to MacArthur's HQ.
Aug. 30th - formal surrender ceremonies on board the Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Margaret had christened the ship!.
Sept. 2 named VJ day.
Soviet Union was at war with Japan.
July 16th President Truman informed of the results from the Trinity test.
Celebration in LR; a dozen or so loaded in and on my Ford V6 and we joined informal parade through downtown Little Rock. Some had trumpets; trombones. No misbehavior, but we were stopped by a motorcycle policeman who apparently wanted to assure himself that we were not drinking (and no one in our group was). Sunday dinners at home with classmates. Football.
Graduation - M.D. June 23, 1946. JaNell Reynolds came from Ft. Smith for the ceremonies and other last activities..
Internship at Garfield in D.C. $15/mo; plus sold an occ. pint of my blood for $25. Buzz Parker. Sorrell. Howard Mott.
Selection of probable internal medicine. Social entree in Washington. Jane Lingo; Margaret Truman.
July 6, 1946, motorboat on Potomac with Romona, Carolyn Wendt, Pat Parker and Grayson Headlee. George Wendbarg (who died in an auto accident in Wyoming with his mother and father about two weeks later!) Also, Carol Lee Arnold.
Jan 1, 1947: A 4" snowfall. On New Year's Eve a private party at the Panama embassy with Jane.
Two sets of triplets delivered at Garfield that month; I was on OB service.
Exact dates forgotten, but experienced the thrill of hearing and seeing some of the "Big Bands" of the era and of meeting and shaking hands with their leaders. Among them were: Glen Miller at some outdoor occasion at the Wardman Park Hotel; Tommy Dorsey and Morton Downey at the National Armory where they entertained a national convention of postal employees; Benny Goodman in a New York City hotel (the Lexington?) where his quintet entertained at the 25th anniversary of Medical Economics magazine; Fred Waring backstage in Constitution Hall following a concert by his ensemble; Bobby Byrne at the Student Union at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville; et al.
One of my more embarrassing performances occurred one evening in the late 40's in Washington. World renowned violinist, Mischa Elman and his wife, who were good friends of my aunt, Mona North and had visited them one evening prior to a return to New York City. I volunteered to chauffeur them from the apartment to Union Station and we departed with "plenty of time to spare" according to my pronouncement. However, in a show-off effort to take a short cut I found myself lost in some portion of northwest Washington north and east of the Capital and Union Station. I eventually worked my way back into recognizable territory and to the Station, but with no time to spare. The Elman's were very nice and understanding, but obviously manifest some anxiety, especially Mrs. Elman. I suspect I would never have lived it down had I failed to deliver them on time to make their train.
Jan. 21, 1947: My first White House party by invitation. White tie. The "Departmental Reception" was held in the white House on February 13, 1947. We were listed in the papers re the event the next day. (A departmental reception)
Feb. 1947 - a long weekend in New York. 11" snowfall, the biggest of the winter.
April 17, 1947 a "Tea" at 4 p.m. by Mrs. Truman. An exchange of pleasantries with some comments re Margaret's radio singing debut with the Detroit Symphony orchestra.
Ambulance trip with a patient to Long Island as an intern. I was paid $25.00.
Parents visited, including a Sunday trip to Annapolis (6/'47) and aboard the aircraft carrier "Rock Island".
New York shows: Frank Faye in Harvey; Jules Munchin and Jane Kean in Call Me Mister; Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun; the El Morocco Club; Carnegie Hall with Bruno Walter conducting Mahler's Fifth Symphony with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, courtesy of Mrs. Whitney -- guest Assisting Artist, Arthur Rubenstein.
Summer 1947 trip back home by auto. Bud rode with me. Pictures with "Uncle Tom" DeShong; Dr. W.W. Gill; fishing with Jimmy and separately with Stover; Big Boy tomatoes; gravel street around the house; Horseshoe lake; Raymond Browning; Arkansas football; Doc's Model T converted to use as a truck for the boat; To San Antonio with Stover, for me to be inducted at Ft. Sam Houston to active duty, and Pink to do some courting of Carmen McCormick!
A number of tales can be related to these associations, and time has blurred my memory of a number of the exact dates. In those days I dated Jane frequently, and she was reputed to be one of Margaret's best friends, which I believe to have been the case. Most of what I recall was during the time I was stationed as a 1st Lieutenant, Medical Corps, Active duty at the Walter Reed General Hospital.
Another blurred date but the occasion was a party at the Sulgrave Club, hostessed as best I recall by Mrs. Perle Mesta, the "hostess with the mostest". It was black tie. At one point I wandered to the edge of the dance floor, looked up, and on my immediate right was actor Ray Milland. He uttered some pleasantry to which I responded. It was shortly after he had received the Academy Award for his leading role in The Lost Weekend.
One event occurred when Mr. North was the host postmaster for the National Postmaster's Association. A Mr. Geohegan was one of Mr. North's business acquaintances and attended the National convention which was held in the D.C. Armory. The orchestra music was provided by Tommy Dorsey and his group, with Morton Downey the soloist as best I recall. Following the entertainment all of us were individually introduced to them; it was still late in the era of the "Big Bands" and the Dorsey's were still on top. The headquarters hotel was the Statler and Mr. N. had access to one of the largest of their suites.
Probably the most memorable of my exposure to the Trumans occurred on Sunday, December 28, 1947, when Jane and Margaret invited me to accompany them aboard the Presidential yacht "Williamsburg" for a day cruise on the Potomac. After meeting in the early morning at the White House we were taken around 10:00 in limos by the Secret Service across town (motorcade) to the Anacostia Navy Ship Yards where the President was appropriately piped aboard with the Naval ceremony as Commander-in-Chief. I recall that Margaret's date was a chap from Ypsilanti, Michigan (Frank Handy). President Truman's sister also was present that day. Margaret was trying out a camera presented as a gift by the White House Photographers Association. It was chilly on the Potomac, but clear and pleasant, and the ship was spacious. The course was down the Potomac past the Mount Vernon and Marshall Hall landings before making the "U" turn back toward the city. A sit down full-meal lunch was provided for all at one table in the navy mess, and the complete menu was formally printed in navy and Presidential style. I recall the President admonishing me to "leave room for a little dessert" which was relatively useless on his part as I've never been reticent about desserts (unfortunately!). When timely, the navy steward appeared with a violently flaming baked Alaska. It was delicious. -- On the return trip the President came on deck with the rest of us for a time whereupon I took a couple of pictures (I was hesitant to go all out on the photography without specific invitation to do so.) At some time during the trip he put on (in jest) a Hollywood Directors cap and shot a few movies of the rest of us. (As best I can recall I was never privileged to see them -- or the results of Margaret's efforts, either.) Upon docking back in Anacostia, and the Navy performing again with the pomp and ceremony of the Commander in Chief leaving the ship, and Pres. Truman went to some length to explain to me that by custom he must be the last of our party to disembark. We were met by the Secret Service and the limousines for transport back to the White House. City police blocked the intersections at all stoplights to enable the motorcade to proceed unimpeded. A gracious family. There was no discussion that I can recall regarding the atomic bomb decisions some two years previously that wiped out Hiroshima and then Nagasaki and effectively ended WW II. (and it would have been rude and inappropriate for any of we guests to seek to broach the subject). However, his courage and resolution in making the affirmative decision "to drop" was one for which most, if not all Americans of the era gave moral support and our thanks. Undoubtedly, it saved many G.I. lives, perhaps my own.
The cold war with Russia was in its inception and the confrontation over the Berlin Wall and yet a second major courageous decision to successfully implement the dangerous Berlin air lift lay ahead as did the confrontation and relief from command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. He was supporting and actively involved in implementing the "Marshall Plan" devised by probably the greatest of our WWII generals, George C. Marshall with whom I once chatted briefly on one of the South elevators in GWUH at a chance encounter. Very briefly, these actions and top-level decisions are tangible examples of why I believe Harry S. Truman will be eventually regarded by historians as our greatest President of the 20th century. He appeared to need none of the ego-stroking that captivated and significantly detracted from FDR. He courageously lived by his "the buck stops here" philosophy. I am lucky and ever grateful for the privileges of having met and been with him in several "cameo" opportunities. At the time Jane Lingo was widely regarded as Margaret's "best friend". It was my pleasure and good fortune to escort Jane to a good many personal and social functions, which evolved in my inclusion in several White House experiences like the "Williamsburg outing".
1947:
Gen. George C. Marshall became Secretary of State on Jan. 21st.
On the 26th a KLM Dutch airliner crashed two minutes after takeoff in Copenhagen, Denmark killing Prince Gustaf Adolph, eldest son of the crown Prince of Sweden and 20 others, including movie/opera star Grace Moore (age 45) who had starred in "One Night of Love".
Truman asked Congress to appropriate $350 million to help people abroad.
On MAR. 31st a big four parley began in Moscow.
On the 25th Rockefeller donated land in New York City for the site of the United Nations building.
Henry Ford died on April 7.
Evelyn Walsh McLean, owner of the Hope diamond, died on the 26th at age 60.
On May 29th 40 were killed in a United airlines crash at LaGuardia in New York, at the time he world's worst commercial air disaster (a DC-4)
Manhattan retired its last trolley on June 28th.
On June 24 Eisenhower accepted the post of President of Columbia University.
On July 18th the ship Exodus with 4,530 Jews without a country mostly from Germany after rejection at Haifa by the British was back in French waters. They eventually debarked in Hamburg, Germany on Sept. 7th.
On July 26th all branches of the American military were united as the Department of Defense with James Forrestal named as Secretary.
On Aug. 23rd Margaret Truman appeared as a soprano soloist in the Hollywood Bowl.
At midnight on Aug.15th India and Pakistan obtained independence from Great Britain.
On Nov. 2nd the Spruce Goose flew for about a mile by Howard Hughes.
Nov 20th, Elizabeth & Philip married in London.
Nov 25th, Hollywood ten blacklisted by movies.
The transistor was developed by Bell Labs.
On December 9, 1948 while I was on active duty in the Army and stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga. a "famous author" stamp was issued by the Post Office Department honoring Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus series. Mr. North represented the Department at the first day of issue ceremonies in Eatonton, Ga., the authors birthplace. He was introduced from the podium by Mayor, Dr. J.B. Stribling. The town square was decorated in the Uncle Remus motif, and the first run of Disney's "Song of the South" played at the main theatre. One float had a ladies civil war chorus, all dressed in the usual female attire of that era. A number of local children were on another trailer dressed as "Pixies" -- Brer Fox, Brer Bear, Brer Rabbit, etc. Dr. John D. Wade, custodian of the Harris collection of manuscripts and other documents at Emory University also gave brief remarks. The formal ceremonies were broadcast over the ABC radio network (WCON Atlanta). A horse and buggy appropriate to the 1800's was in the parade, as was a bedecked team of horses drawing a carriage with highly polished brass lamps. Quite a gathering of citizens crowded the square and parade route, blacks and whites. Following the formalities Mr. North and I were guests in the home of one of the surviving children of Author Harris, all of whom autographed a number of first day covers for each of us. As a native of Georgia, Mr. North was in his ancestral element, (July 2, 1889 to Dec. 17,1975) performed skillfully and with aplomb, and we both had a pleasant and delightful day. But I was back in the BOQ at Benning by bedtime.
In the spring (April-May) of 1948 my medical unit, the 171st Evacuation Hospital, was ordered to join the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, N.C. from where we were sent on maneuvers to Camp Campbell (later to become Ft. Campbell), Ky. I was assigned there to staff/support the renegade troops, commanded by Col. Sam Sloan, promoted to "General" for this exercise and I was given the code name "Vulture". Housed in tents, we were inundated with groundhogs. As a part of the maneuver exercise the airborne jumped 1,200 troops one morning from fairly low altitude and in a moderately heavy wind. There were a number of landing injuries (mostly broken and sprained ankles) and my platoon was kept busy with triage and evacuation activities (taking them as "captured troops" as I recall back to the base hospital). On the gravel roads my group was "strafed" by a flight of P-51 Mustangs. Following maneuvers and return to Ft. Bragg with dispensary duty as a radiologist I was reassigned to the Infantry Center at Ft. Benning, Ga., a permanent installation. My initial dispensary assignment was directly adjacent to the twin "jump towers" where parachutists were introduced to that art -- and we continued to see our share of ankle and foot injuries; rarely, something of greater magnitude.
I made friends with one of the sergeants who was assigned as a range guard (game warden) who showed me a number of stills set up on the government property by moonshiners. On one outing, hunting wild turkeys -- I actually saw a couple but couldn't get into shotgun range -- I stirred up a Bobcat which I shot and killed on reflex. When I took it back to barracks I found that the wardens had a bounty of a free box of shotgun shells for them (they prey on the quail and ducks).
On one occasion Margaret (Truman) and her date, and Jane & I were invited to a family dinner at the white House. It was held in a small red room dining room on the north side of the first floor as best I recall. There may have been a third couple present, in addition to Mrs. Truman. This was around 1952-53, beyond the WRGH years, for I recall Mrs. Truman questioning me about details of the tornado which swept through and largely destroyed Judsonia on March 17, 1952. Both parents were trapped in the drug store and the roof caved in on them. They were saved from almost certain death by it being caught near them on a large safe and the drug counter. However they were trapped for an hour or so before being found and "dug out". Hospitalized initially in Searcy at the Hawkins Clinic Hospital, they were soon transferred to Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. Mother experienced several very painful fractures of transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae; Dad a broken right forearm and cervical spine (without any cord, damage, fortunately). In any event, Mrs. Truman was most interested in the details I could relate to her, not only of them but of the largely destroyed home, totally destroyed (uninsured) drug store, automobile, and the entire town.
President Truman came in when were part way into the meal and sat at the head of the table and talked, but did not eat. He related that he was committed to attend and speak at a gathering at the Washington Press Club ("those sons' of bitches") and would really prefer to remain in our company. After some small talk, and a bit of teasing, he departed and we didn't see him again that evening.
On another occasion we were invited to occupy the Presidential Box at Constitution Hall, the major D.C. site of "high brow" musical presentations in those years. Ezio Pinza was featured that evening with the National Symphony (Hans Kindler was the conductor) and sang a long aria from Mussorgsky's Boris Godounoff, in the title role of which Pinza had become justly famous. In his superb basso voice, said by critic Paul Hume to be the "reigning basso of the Metropolitan" Pinza recreated the appearance and sound of the tortured ruler. Sad in the opening scenes, he moved with power through the monologue concerning his political rise, the suffocation scene, and the final agonized measures of his death. Few artists command both vocal ability and greatness in acting in the measure that Pinza possesses them. His tremendous voice sank to a whisper as the terrors of the Czar's clouded mind overcame him. Its expressive shades held a large audience without sound or motion. Then followed one of the greatest ovations of several seasons, in which singer and conductor shared alike.
Following the performance Mr. Pinza hosted a spaghetti supper in the Elizabethan Room of the Raleigh Hotel to which we were invited (at least Margaret was and the whole party accompanied her). Pinza and his wife were gracious, as were co-hosts Mr. & Mrs. Curt Schiffler. Every one carried on about his superb spaghetti sauce which he ostensibly had brewed himself. By then his days in South Pacific with Mary Martin lay ahead, I believe. (?)
On yet another occasion essentially the same group (which sometimes included Drucie Snyder - daughter of Secretary of the Treasury John Snyder who later married Les Douglas) attended a dance at the Statler Hotel in 16th Street where music was provided by the U.S. Army Band. At that time, its male vocalist was Pfc. Eddie Fisher who was just approaching his zenith of fame. At several of his breaks he joined us. This was quite a number of years before his Debbie Reynolds marriage (the Debbie/Eddie craze) or the subsequent one to Elizabeth Taylor (the "evil" breaker of marriages). He commanded a lot of attention, and his performance was excellent. Also at the table that evening was actress Joan Bennett, movie star and sister of Constance Bennett, ibid. Joan was the brunette. She was rather quiet and reserved, but very pleasant. -- Sometimes we would be escorted to/from these affairs by limousine with the Secret Service. Sometimes we would transport ourselves and simply "join the group", not rating such attendance on our own.
On still another occasion there was an affair at the Motion Picture Association of America building in the DuPont Circle area of town. I don't recall the occasion for it, but it was well attended, and -- as best I recall -- hosted by Jack Valenti. Even in some of the largest gatherings (of 20 - 35 people or so) there usually was opportunity for meeting and chatting with others. On this particular evening I found myself paired off for a while with Shirley Temple, a very attractive and delightful young lady. A portion of the conversation, after she learned that I am a M.D., related to her recent experience in Oklahoma where she had been subjected to an appendectomy. She related her symptoms in some detail, some apparent uncertainty about the diagnosis, and the operation from which she recovered without problems. However, she was infuriated at the bill she had received later from the surgeon, which as best I recall she indicated to be about $5,000 (they were usually about $350 - 500 at the upper limit of charging at that time). She stated she had refused to pay it and the surgeon had defended it on the grounds of his reputation risk had she not had a favorable outcome. I don't know what the eventual outcome of the dispute was, but my emotional support obviously was with Shirley.
When Jane's father, Commander Harrison B. Lingo, died at home one morning, Jane and her mother in floundering for what to do called me. I promptly made the trip from Walter Reed to their home on Lanier Place, N.W. He had expired on the bathroom floor where I pronounced him. His attending physician was Dr. Clayton Ethridge, an eminent cardiologist at G.W. and in the city, whom I contacted. He in turn, tended to the usual administrative details with the coroner etc. that accompany a death at home, with no problems encountered. When the day for the funeral arrived, through some arrangement I have since forgotten, I was requested to pick Margaret up the preceding evening at Union Station when she arrived from New York and take her to the White House, which I was pleased to do. At that time, as best I recall, she was concertizing and under the tutelage of Helen Traubel. I think it was before the years of the NY - Washington air shuttles. The secret service remained invisible to me on this occasion but I know we weren't out of their sight from Union Station to the White House where I conducted her to the north portico.
THE BIG BANDS
Following WW II America's affections for the "Big Bands" continued, but they began to change gradually and as television gradually assumed primacy as the preferred entertainment medium, at least on a daily basis, they began to fade away. "One nighter's" became almost prohibitive to finance, so dances -- even in very large auditoriums -- became difficult and then impossible to sustain. But they didn't disappear without a struggle for they had become a part of the American culture during the 1930's and through WW-II .
The group(s) with which I spent personal time continued to enjoy them whenever possible. Earlier I mentioned the U.S. Army band, featuring PFC. Eddie Fisher and the singing Sergeants. On one occasion movie star Joan Bennett joined our group at a table for the evening. The other military services also had their military bands, and they performed regularly on the East front of the Capital on Saturday evenings; at the Jefferson memorial on another evening, and so on.
Over these years I enjoyed the opportunity occasionally of visiting some event featuring one of the "big bands", and one I recall with pleasure was at the D. C. Armory performing at one of the Post Office Department's annual, national meetings. Starred were Tommy Dorsey (trombonist) and his orchestra. Since Mr. North was Postmaster of the District about that time we had the opportunity of an introduction and meeting with Dorsey. Glen Miller and his group performed at the old Wardman Park Hotel where Romona met and enjoyed his group, but I don't believe I ever did. We met Carmen Caverello at the Biltmore in New York supported by his orchestra. Bobby Byrne and his orchestra performed at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). One of the last of the memorable exposures was at the 50th Anniversary party for Medical Economics held in one of the hotels on Lexington Avenue in New York City. Performing and met at that event was Benny Goodman with his quartet --- not very dynamic as an Emcee -- but highly superior with the clarinet and performances of the arrangements he stimulated. I was unable to attend/see his Carnegie Hall Concert but obtained the pair of 33 1/3 rpm records of same and they were well worn when last seen. Guy Lombardo performed regularly at the Waldorf on New Year's Eve and enjoyed his performances on several occasions. I still enjoy the old movies made by and about some of these leaders and their musicians, and it is a significant part of vanishing Americana that is difficult to emulate.
One of my last near encounters with the Truman's occurred on the day of Dwight D. Eisenhower's first inauguration. This was held on the East side of the Capital (in recent years it has been on the West), and I was almost "front row, center" as a guest of Wilbur and Polly Mills and daughters. Since President Truman had reached maximum tenure under the Constitution as President he was not unduly depressed at being relieved of his heavy burdens. (The atomic bomb decision, alone, would have been enough for most men. He had also been Commander-in Chief for the completion of the war in Germany and Japan, had endured the Korean conflict, had more or less been forced to relieve military hero Douglas MacArthur from his command, and had survived the complete internal renovation of the White House, voluntarily moving with his family into Blair House for the three years or so required for the work. While residing in the same the Puerto Rican assassins had attempted to kill him, shooting up toward the front door. It was my belief then, and now, that history will eventually regard him as one of our greatest Presidents). I don't believe he was overly pleased that his successor was a Republican, and I also believe that President Truman would have assisted Ike to obtain the Democratic nomination, had he so chosen. In any event, President Truman through the day performed his ceremonial role in a reserved, formal manner and afforded General/President Eisenhower the usual and appropriate spotlight.
For the inaugural parade that afternoon Dad had used his Republican perks influence and obtained two seats in the Pennsylvania Avenue reviewing stands directly across the street from the White House and the President's entourage. Richard M. Nixon was the incoming VEEP and also encamped in the Presidential reviewing stand with wife Patricia, daughters Tricia and Julia, and Ike's grandson, David. They were youngsters. The other usual notables also were in attendance.
The parade was excellent. It was cold, but no snow. The most memorable highlight occurred in mid-parade when a mounted cowboy named Monty Montana loosened his lariat and much to the obvious discomfort and consternation of the Secret Service proceeded to "lasso" Ike. The latter obviously cooperated to the delight of crowd and those cameramen in appropriate positions had a field day. Thus, a memorable political era ended and another began.
At the end of June in 1947 I had completed my year of internship at the Garfield Memorial Hospital; followed by almost a