White House Experiences Limited Edition

Introducing a unique series of collectible photographic prints, associated with my White House experiences.

GENERAL BACKGROUND
Introducing for the first time a series of rare color photographic prints. The prints were created from slides taken in 1960, 1961 and 1962, just before and during the time I was a member of the White House Communications Agency.

The name, White House Communications Agency, became a reality in 1962. Before that date it was called the White House Army Signal Agency and been in existence since the early 40ís, during the administration of President Roosevelt. The first remote site communications for President Roosevelt was conducted from a railroad car. By the time I became a part of the Agency, in 1961, the railroad car was gone, but if needed we could still setup communications on a train or any location necessary, to provide communications for the President.

	Photo 1. The first scene shows the current Air Force One arriving at Alameda Naval Air Station with President Kennedy on board. On trips the press plane would always land first, so the White House Press could be in place for the Presidentís arrival. We were on the ground for awhile and I decided to get off and take a few pictures. The support people at the air station had put a flat bed trailer in position for the photographers. It was from that trailer this picture, and the number 2 and 3 photos were taken. Additionally, at that time there were three Air Force planes which could be designated AF1. Their tail numbers were 86370, 86371 and 86372. When vice-president Johnson was on board it would have the call sign of Air Force Two. In 1963 a new presidential plane, with tail number 26000 and its distinctive blue markings, came into existence.
	Photo 2. President Kennedy at the top of the ramp exiting Air Force One, with many dignitaries waiting to greet him. General Clifton, Military Aide to the President, and Pierre Salinger his Press Secretary are among those welcoming the President.
	Photo 3. This is a photo I had forgotten about. It brought out many old emotions seeing President Kennedy sitting in a dark blue Lincoln limousine, and even then without the bubble top. Realize also, this picture was taken 20 months before Dallas. The current Governor of California, Edmond G. "Pat" Brown (Jerryís dad) is in the back seat next to President Kennedy.
	Photo 4. Palm Springs was the final stop before returning to Washington and we would be in-place for several days. Palm Springs was one of my favorite places while growing up in Southern California. The message on the marquee at the Riviera Hotel, welcomes the White House staff, who were staying at the hotel. The words on the marquee and the now vintage cars in the parking lot convey a positive message of the time. This was the trip where President Kennedy decided to stay at Bing Crosbyís home instead of Frank Sinatraís and caused what we used to call a major "flap". Ironically, after leaving the service, my family would rent a vacation house, just two blocks from the Riviera.
	Photo 5. While in Palm Beach, President Kennedy would drive a white Lincoln convertible. This is his car parked just outside the Kennedy compound. After taking this photo, I had the opportunity to go along with a member of our Agency in support of the President. We were in a small Coast Guard patrol boat following the Presidential Yacht the "Honey Fitz". The President enjoyed cruising on the "Honey Fitz" while in Palm Beach. Each outing would usually end with a swim in the ocean. Everyone in the Presidential party was invited to join in. This trip, the President asked the Secret Service, who were in small jet boats, if the would also like to take a swim. The agents respectfully declined and continued looking for sharks.
	Photo 6. We arrived back at the landing, off Mockingbird Lane, ahead of the President. It was another photo opportunity for me. This picture shows the "Honey Fitz", in Biscayne Bay, approaching the dock. The Presidential Yacht was called the "Sequoia" before the President named it after his grandfather.
	Photo 7. The "Honey Fitz" has docked and the President and his party are ready to disembark. Since we were not allowed to take pictures of the First Family, my "photo op" has ended.
	Photo 8. This aerial view of Washington, DC is from the window of the White House Press plane (a charter flight arranged with one of the major airlines) returning from a Labor Day trip to Cape Cod and Hyannis, Massachusetts in 1961. The landing at National Airport was just a few minutes away and this would be my only chance to get a picture of the monuments.
	Photo 9. Being raised in San Diego, California was a great experience. The coast line around La Jolla, just north of the city of San Diego, has been and continues to be one of my favorite places to visit. This 1960 photo was taken overlooking La Jolla Cove. In the background and looking north is Scripps Pier and just beyond is Torrey Pines State Park. Today you would not recognize this scene. On the top of the cliff above the pier is the University of California at San Diego, Saulk Institute, Torrey Pines Golf Course and many other buildings and homes now covering the then barren landscape.
	Photo 10. The last photo is of a lone sailboat on San Diego Bay, as seen from the west end of Shelter Island. In the background is Point Loma. On the other side of Point Loma is the Pacific Ocean and the sailing course used by the Americaís Cup yachting event. This also is a 1960 photograph.