Friday, July 9th, 2004 started like most other days, up for an early morning walk in the solitude of the Bern Township countryside. But as I walked, I knew that the day would be like no other I had ever experienced — I was scheduled to meet the President of the United States, the most powerful man on earth. As I walked, I went over the events that had taken place in the previous week leading up to the day's scheduled events.
On Thursday, July 1st, I had been told by a fellow Berks Economic Partnership board member that E.J. Breneman was on a list of companies submitled to the Bush/Cheney campaign committee for possible involvement in a campaign event. The event had not been made public and, if it happened, would be next Friday, July 9th
On July 2nd, — was contacted by campaign staffers from Washington with requests for information about E.J. Breneman. Over the days following the 4th of July, Steve Bright, Phil Wagner and I fielded various requests for information.
On Thursday, July 8 at 10:30 AM, I received another call, no request for information this time; instead I was told E.J. Breneman had been selected to participate in the event I was requested (directed) to attend a "walk through" at Kutztown University that evening at 6:45 PM. I was told that I would have a private meeting with the President before the event and that during the event the President & I would "TALK BACK AND FORTH" concerning the economy. The butterflies in my stomach immediately came to life as I pictured myself tripping over a cord or mumbling something like "Thas righ Mr. Pesident."
The "walk through" was hardly a walk through — much work remained to be done to Keystone Hall in preparation for the President's visit. I also met the two couples and the woman who would join me in talking to the President. The six of us wondered why we had been chosen. We all had butterflies and all of us were looking forward to meeting the President. Before we left for home, we were told that we must be in the building by 9 AM or else we would be off the program!
My walk is over, time to get cleaned up and head to Kutztown. I decided not to eat or drink anything — who knows if we will have time (or opportunity) for the bathroom, besides, the butterflies feel more like birds. The drive to Kutztown is non-eventful, my wife and I talk about anything to keep my mind busy. We park in the assigned lot, next to Keystone Hall. When the doors open we go through security checks and make our way to the room where we would wait until the time to meet the President. I introduce my wife to the other 5 participants, one couple has their three children with them and the other couple has their daughter with them. About 50 minutes before the scheduled start of the event the man in charge entered the room and told us there is a change of plans — "instead of meeting the President here, you will be meeting him off site. Be prepared to leave in 5 minutes." My wife cannot go, nor can the children.
Five minutes later we were led to a small van and headed north on Route 222. We were told we would meet the President at a diner just below Trexlertown. As we turn into the parking lot we can't help but notice the large number of security people — uniformed (in black SWAT uniforms) secret service, coat & tie outfitted secret service and police — state and local. We were led into the diner and as we waited for a table we watched the secret service checking the customers in the diner. We were led to a table set for 10, 3 chairs & place settings were removed, leaving 7 — the President and the six of us. I took a seat facing the window; I wanted to see the President's arrival.
In about 10 minutes the state police closed Route 222 north and shortly thereafter the President's motorcade arrived from the north. The motorcade consisted of two blue and red Bush/Cheney campaign buses, two other buses, several Chevy suburbans, (with multiple antennas) and several state police cruisers. After shaking hands and chatting with the crowd that had gathered outdoors, the President entered the diner and visited every table before sitting with us. We were surrounded by the press, asking questions and taking pictures, it was all happening so fast. We weren't sure how to act, the six of us sat there and smiled, the President bantered with the press. In a few minutes the press was cleared from the room — there we sat, 6 average men and women and the President of the United States. I remember feeling awed and lucky (and I still had birds flying in my stomach). The President turned to me and asked me to introduce myself, I did, and he immediately said 'You're with a highway construction company, you ye been buying equipment, hiring people and are positive about the future." We took turns introducing ourselves; he already knew our stories. He knew we were nervous, he tried to put us at ease. He was friendly, humorous and very down to earth. In talking about the impending event at Kutztown he said "You will be having a conversation with me. I will help you and you will help me. Don't worry about the 2600 people in the audience or the national and local media." He chuckled knowing that's exactly ONE of the things we were worried about. He went on to say "It will be fun, you'll enjoy it. We will have a good time."
We spent about 15 minutes with the President before boarding one of the buses (not a blue & red one) and traveling in the presidential motorcade back to Kutztown. We were escorted into the building and to our respective seats (where I rejoined my wife), several minutes later the President entered to a standing ovation — it was, after all, a campaign rally. As I sat there waiting to be called to do my part I realized that the birds had become small butterflies. I remembered something else the President said at the diner, "Focus and talk to me and I will do the same to you." As he introduced me and said "I just had some coffee with Roger ... " I remembered his advice and tried to enjoy my conversation with the President. I managed not to embarrass myself nor E.J. Breneman, when my part was complete the remainder of the butterflies disappeared. At the end of the program, the President left the center platform, walked to me and said, "Good job Roger. I told you we'd have a good time. Thank you." I replied, "You're welcome Mr. President."
As my wife and I waited to have our picture taken with the President, I felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and speak with the President of the United States but I also felt very proud that E.J. Breneman was selected to be the only company to be part of the event. As EJB-6 left the parking lot and headed south, many thoughts ran through my head. The one that kept coming back was that even if I would be at E.J. Breneman another 32 years, today would be hard to top.
BACK TO TOPSITE MAP
©Copyright 2008 E.J. Breneman, L.P. All Rights Reserved.