Class Reunion, White House style

White House Trip Report, March 2008


The rumors started last fall. Joe’s high school class would have a reunion in the White House, hosted by class member Laura Bush and the President. Save the spring.


Now, we had gone to the Governor’s Mansion in Austin at their invitation 11 years ago for the 33 1/3 reunion, and it was grand. The party was held in tents on the lawn, with the downstairs open for touring. Torrential rain kept us mostly in the tents, and I can remember throwing away my new sandals afterwards. Laura was gracious, and I took Joe’s photo with her. She admired Joe’s Texas aloha shirt, so afterwards we had one sent to them. George wrote us a thank you note, which I still have. They promised that if they made it to the White House, they would host us there also.

As the last year of the Bush administration approached, members of the class began a letter-writing campaign to Laura. They also established a web site at www.midlandlee64.typepad.com. The website took on a life of its own as we first received “save the date” cards for March 29, and classmates began making reservations for Washington. I wanted to get an early reservation, and hoped we could stay at a hotel with a view of the White House. Cindy Klatt, the class recordkeeper, found a good rate at the Washington Marriott and we made reservations there also. Eventually at least half of the attendees stayed at this venerable hotel on 22nd at L. We made reservations to fly in and out of BWI, partly because we wanted to spend at least one night with friends in Maryland, and partly because we got a very cheap Southwest fare.

Every day I watched the website as class members debates such lofty issues as the dress code for the event. It started out as “Sunday best”. Then one of Laura’s friends contributed “Business casual—in Washington”. The final invitation read “Cocktail”. One person reminded the women that Laura is elegant but conservative and that we should not wear ball gowns, so as not to upstage the First Lady. Fortunately the Eileen Fisher silk outfit I bought for “Sunday Best” also fit Business Casual and Cocktail, so I was all set.

Then on Wednesday before flying on Thursay we got an email from Cindy with another invitation from Laura:

“The President and Mrs. Bush will be hosting a receiving line Saturday night during the Reunion. This is your opportunity to be photographed with them by a White House photographer. Please refrain from any additional photographs with the President and Mrs. Bush throughout the evening using your personal cameras. Many thanks for your cooperation.

In addition to the Reunion Saturday night, the President and Mrs. Bush invite you to the White House on Friday, March 28, to view the historical rooms of the White House and watch the President arrive via helicopter on the South Lawn. Please arrive to the Visitors Entrance on East Executive Avenue at 4:00 p.m. Any additional family members who will be traveling with you are also invited to attend. For those additional family members, please email Sally Jackson (sjackson@who.eop.gov) in the White House Social Office with their names, dates of birth and social security numbers. Those who have already accepted for Saturday night DO NOT need to contact Sally; you may just show up at the gate at 4:00 p.m.”

How fortunate that we had chosen to fly on Thursday!

Thursday March 27, 2008

This really was an uneventful day. We ate a hotdog in Chicago Midway airport. We took SuperShuttle to the hotel. I did begin telling total strangers where we were going. Like Shuttle drivers. The hotel staff had obviously been briefed. On check in the young lady said “Mrs Laura Bush would like you to have this.” and handed me one of those free walking tour maps, secured for the attendees by one of the classmates. The hotel lobby was full of Joe’s classmates so we hurried up to the room and back to the lobby, looking for friends and food. The restaurant was swamped but they said the bar served food, so we ordered a chicken quesadilla. Seated behind Joe at the bar was his high school girl friend, the one whose mother used to bake him strawberry pie. I began to get a feeling that this weekend was going to be like Alice in Wonderland, down the rabbit hole, for me. Joe stayed in the lobby visiting for awhile, but I went upstairs to unpack and go to bed. Our capital tour was at 9 am the next day, 6 am to my body.

Friday March 28, 2008

This was a very big day, in all ways. We took a taxi to the Capitol, a wild ride through rush hour traffic, glimpsing monuments and cherry blossoms on the way. It was easy to find our group—we were the only, ah, mature adults, in a sea of school children. Among the first people Joe recognized were his old friend George and his wife Paula, who now live in Australia. Of course Joe had seen them in November when they were passing through San Francisco. Other old friends were harder to pick out. The only other people I knew were Bill and Elise Coombs, he heads the (formerly known as) Confederate Air Force in Midland. It is the 11th largest Air Force in the world. All vintage airplanes.

Our ticket for the event allowed us to bypass all of, to go through security, and meet our red-jacketed guide, Mr. Blair. I volunteered to take the elevator rather than walk the 77 steps, so we had our own mini-tour of the working offices of the capitol as we were led by a security person to our tour group. We all wore wireless headsets that enabled Mr. Blair to speak normally and be heard by all. Once I told him who we were---classmates of the First Lady—he personalized the tour for Texans.

After the Capitol tour Joe and I walked to the Supreme Court, which is behind the Capitol, in search of a tshirt for Mary, our family attorney. No tshirt, but we got her a mug for her desk. Then we took a taxi—I love D.C. taxis, they are everywhere—to the American Indian Museum to meet George and Paula. We had a great lunch there of native American food—I had salmon and fiddle fern and wild rice salad—and saved the museum for another visit.

Back to the hotel and rest before grabbing taxis to the White House for the 4 pm tour. We were in a long line for x rays and photo id and guest list verification—which would be repeated the next night before the party. Once we were IN, we were absolutely blown away. What I call the basement is a series of absolutely beautiful rooms, most of which are not normally on tour. The Vermeil Room is full of portraits of first ladies, notably Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, and Jacqueline Kennedy. There is a map room, formerly used by FDR for war consultations, and a library, recently redone by Mrs. Bush. Also a room full of presidential china. It was difficult to take it all in, and I kept circling the rooms while Joe visited with classmates. Upstairs were the rooms more commonly seen. The Red, Green, and Blue rooms were the most elegant. It was hard to believe that we would end up on Saturday eating our buffet dinner in the blue room on silk covered chairs. The State Dining Room was at one end of the hall. There the buffet would be set on Saturday. The East Room, on the other end of the expansive hall, is where a live press conference had been held just that morning. The music and dancing would be in that room on Saturday.

We wandered out to the balcony and took pictures of the Washington Monument. Barney emerged from the family quarter and we were shooed back in so that he could do his thing in privacy.

When Laura came into the hall she was mobbed by people who wanted their photo taken with her. The difference between this scene and others is that the people actually knew her, and Laura knew them. One woman grew up across the street from Laura, and told her about her Mom’s recent death. I briefly congratulated her on planning a destination wedding. She said she was enjoying it .

Soon people began moving out to the balcony and the stairs to watch for the presidential helicopter. I stationed myself at the top of the stairs, against a pillar, out of the way but in perfect view. It was still 20 minutes or so until his arrival. Joe was no where to be seen. Suddenly he appeared and wanted me to leave my post, as the crowds around Laura had thinned, and he wanted me to take a photo. I went back inside, knowing I would never find another great viewing point. I took a nice photo, despite the woman from the previous picture session who didn’t want to leave. Joe photoshopped her out, later. I told Laura how nice it would be for her to spend time in Dallas, that I enjoyed the city as my sister Margaret Hunt lived there. She said “We haven’t bought a house in Dallas. That’s just a rumor. And $6 million. No way” I didn’t know that there was a rumor in Dallas that they had purchased an almost completed house for $6 Million. I just responded that probably the rumor started because of the library. I left after that. So did she, to go down to the lawn and meet the President.

Back to the balcony, where just as I predicted I couldn’t see a thing. Others were on the lawn but the staircase was totally packed. So I wandered around aimlessly while Joe held his camera above his head and took blind photos. I did see the three helicopters coming in, with the Washington Monument in the background. Very presidential, and emotional. A secret service agent found a small spot for me on the stairs and I did see him walk across the lawn. But the photos—ours and others—tell the story.

We were so exhilarated that we walked the mile back to the hotel, passing through Lafayette Park. Back at the Marriott the Preunion had begun. A long line snaked through the lobby to pay for this party and also for the bus for Saturday. The room was overcrowded but it was lots of fun for Joe to see old friends. After the party we joined his friends Steve, Bill, Silver and George (and spouses) in a private room at a steak house on 19th. George’s stories were hilarious but the others made a sincere effort to top him. We drank lots of wine!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Saturday morning we could have gone to see the monuments or the cherry blossoms but instead chose to walk to the White House gift shop. It was formerly located in the White House, strictly for staffers, but had to be moved out after 9/11 to 529 14th in the Press Club building. Joe scored a white White House embroidered polo shirt, which he then wore on Sunday and told folks “George gave it to me for things I can’t tell you about” That lasted about 30 seconds, and we sent lots of classmates in search of the same shirt.

We met in the lobby at 4:30 to catch our bus for the White House. I was a little intimidated at how well these Midland folks cleaned up. I mean, the women looked glamorous and the men looked powerful. My favorite dress was a black chiffon with red rose trim that George’s wife wore. It was from Australia. I also loved a silk evening suit in oyster, trimmed in pearl. Lots of black with sparkles. Several women had pashminas, which was great for the long wait outside in the spring chill.

The White House cleaned up really well also. As we entered an Army band was playing songs from high school. Waiters circulated with trays of champagne. We were given a red coupon, signifying the group for the photo with President and Mrs. Bush. Sure enough, eventually one of the many young officers on duty walked through the crowd waving a red coupon. We then went down to the basement (remember the various rooms?) to join a small line to have our picture taken. So I think we were among the first. Waiters offered us wine or water while we stood in line, then other waiters took the glasses once we got into the room. Someone took my purse so I couldn’t have to clutch it. An officer took the small card from my name tag, with our name and address on it, and asked us to verify the details. He also asked if we were married. I said “yes, almost 40 years) He said “Wow! I should announce that also.” Then he passed us, and the card, to another officer, who accompanied us as we moved toward the front of the line.

We noticed that George and Laura were taking the time to greet each couple and exchange a few words. This was not your cruise line photo with the captain. Then we were being introduced. I stood next to Mr. Bush and Joe stood next to Laura. Two quick flashes and they were shaking hands. I said “Mr. President we are great fans. We have already seen two Texas Rangers games this month. He burst into laughter and gave me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. As this was going on Laura was asking “ Joe, how is this possible?” Joe replied “Spring Training”. As we walked away, beaming, George yelled after us “And they’ll be terrible again this year!” The First Couple posed for three hours with their guests.

I felt so lucky that we had our photo op early on. Actually, right at the beginning of the evening the classmates had gathered on the balcony and steps for a group photo with the First Couple. Joe reports that George said “Hello Joe”. I think we have a photo of him doing so. We can see Joe’s bald spot about two rows behind the President.

The buffet dinner was set up in the State Dining Room. It featured all Texas food—minicheeseburgers, mini tamales, guacamole and chips, mini chicken fried steak. The buffet was constantly replenished throughout the evening. There were only a few tables set up in that room and in the red, blue, and green rooms. We ended up sitting on antique chairs in the blue room with our plates, a small table for drinks between us.

The dancing was at the other end of the building, in the East Room . The band, Jelly Roll, was from Philadelphia and has played at many White House events. We danced for awhile, then retreated to the quieter rooms to visit. I understand Laura joined the dancing but didn’t see her myself.

The party ended about 11 pm. Staff was polite, smiling, firm in moving the crowd toward the exit. As we left we were handed mini banners that were for either Midland, Lee, or Carver. We had to walk in the cold and dark over to the Visitors Entrance, and waited a few minutes for the bus back to the hotel. The party continued until about 2 am in the bar at the hotel.

On Sunday morning we checked out of the hotel, Joe went to pick up the rental car, and we headed out to Maryland to see the Guthiers, our Rice friends, and my friends Marie and Ginny and Al. And the party continued.

Joe's High School Reunion

How did we get to the White House? It's quite a story......