Humility and Respect

I was honored to meet one of the most humble people I’ve ever met, President Ronald Reagan.

Back in the day, I served in several Air Force bands (most, unfortunately, don’t exist anymore). While serving with the Air Force Band of the Golden West, stationed at March Air Force Base in California, we had many opportunities to play for President Reagan at various high-level events. Evidently, he liked us because after he retired to the Los Angeles area, he invited us to visit him so that he could thank us for what we’d done for him while he was in office. Now, think on that a bit — a former President of the United States summoning members of an Air Force Band to his office to thank them! Talk about showing us respect!

We took advantage of the invitation and went to his office one bright, sunny day. (It’s always bright and sunny in California.) What an exciting time! The President invested more than an hour with us, joking around and telling stories. What a great storyteller! He inspired me to become one as well, as you’re noticing. We all had our pictures taken with him. His next appointment was some golf tournament. He was dressed casually since he had to go to the course right after talking with us. Of course, we had to have a photo op with him. I was the second-to-last person to be photographed with him. My commander was last. I’d trained him. As we finished taking the photos, one of the President’s aides came in and admonished him that he needed to hurry to get to his next commitment. The president acknowledged the remark but finished the photos. He could have apologized and rushed off with his aide, but he respected us too much for that. He stayed with us until we were all done.

I had brought my copy of An American Life, the President’s autobiography, hoping that he’d sign it. We hadn’t had time for that, however, so as we were being led out of his office, I asked another aide at a desk near the door if she would please ask the President to autograph my book and I would gladly leave enough money with her to cover the postage to mail it to me. Although the President was being escorted out another door, he stopped, having overheard my conversation. He told the aide with him to get my book, signed it, had his aide return it to me, and then went on his way. Did he have to do that? Of course not. But he did! He cared enough, and he respected ME, a kid who came out of a small New Mexico barrio, to stop and sign my book. He even remembered my name and, most importantly, my rank. He signed it

?????????????????????To Chief Bob Vásquez — With Best Wishes,

??????????????????????????????????????? Ronald Reagan

??????????????????????????????????????? ??? May 17 ’93

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Many people loved President Reagan. Even more respected him. Surely, history will remember what he did for our country, but the people he touched will always remember him for how he treated them. He was an incredibly respectful and humble man. I would have gone to war with him anytime, anyplace. God bless you, Mr. President!

Until next time, be GREAT! You ARE!

HEIRPOWER!

bob vásquez, CMSgt (Ret), USAF