What do you think?
Rate this book
Air Force One: An Honor, Privilege, and Pleasure to Serve
As a young person growing up in a small coal mining community in western Pennsylvania, I dreamed of traveling and seeing the world. Upon graduation from high school, I enlisted in the United States Air Force, not knowing where my travels would take me. I volunteered for flying duty and was sent to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey in 1963. From there, I traveled all over the world transporting troops.
In 1973, I volunteered and was accepted into the 89th military airlift wing, special air missions organization at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, which required a top secret clearance, and was the home of Air Force One.
After experiencing my first Air Force One backup trip with President Nixon to Europe and the Middle East, I set another goal to become a permanent member of the Air Force One flight crew; but it did not happen right away.
Meanwhile, I was privileged to fly missions that included a 33 day presidential goodwill trip with the Apollo 17 astronauts, (the last men to walk on the moon), around the world, the prime minister of India, premier of China, Chancellor of Germany, President of Turkey, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, President Carter's mother, Ms Lillian, cabinet level officers, members of congress, high ranking military officers, Vice President's Ford and Mondale.
On September 1, 1979, I was selected as a permanent member of the Air Force One flight crew, during the last 16 months of the Carter administration, 8 years with President Reagan (19 months of which were served as his Chief Steward), 3 1/2 years as chief steward for President Bush SR. To quote President Bush Sr., "It was great to travel with the First Team".
The Presidents I was privileged to serve were ordinary folks like you and I, who did extraordinary things to be elected. Personally, I had the time of my life, fulfilling my dreams of world travels, and it truly was a privilege and pleasure to serve the Presidents aboard Air Force One.
In 1973, I volunteered and was accepted into the 89th military airlift wing, special air missions organization at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, which required a top secret clearance, and was the home of Air Force One.
After experiencing my first Air Force One backup trip with President Nixon to Europe and the Middle East, I set another goal to become a permanent member of the Air Force One flight crew; but it did not happen right away.
Meanwhile, I was privileged to fly missions that included a 33 day presidential goodwill trip with the Apollo 17 astronauts, (the last men to walk on the moon), around the world, the prime minister of India, premier of China, Chancellor of Germany, President of Turkey, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, President Carter's mother, Ms Lillian, cabinet level officers, members of congress, high ranking military officers, Vice President's Ford and Mondale.
On September 1, 1979, I was selected as a permanent member of the Air Force One flight crew, during the last 16 months of the Carter administration, 8 years with President Reagan (19 months of which were served as his Chief Steward), 3 1/2 years as chief steward for President Bush SR. To quote President Bush Sr., "It was great to travel with the First Team".
The Presidents I was privileged to serve were ordinary folks like you and I, who did extraordinary things to be elected. Personally, I had the time of my life, fulfilling my dreams of world travels, and it truly was a privilege and pleasure to serve the Presidents aboard Air Force One.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2013
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 8, 2019
Save your money. Not worth your time. Very poorly written. A few interesting facts but definitely not enough to make it worth your time.
November 19, 2019
Was a interesting read
I gave it a four
Was a good read about some of the US Presidents on Air Force One
The older 707 to the 747
George HW Bush, Ronald Reagan was a good history of the presidents
I gave it a four
Was a good read about some of the US Presidents on Air Force One
The older 707 to the 747
George HW Bush, Ronald Reagan was a good history of the presidents
December 25, 2020
Summary
I loved the book and especially the history he brought to the reader. Many facts that are not readily available to those who have not served and to those who have served. I highly recommend this book.
I loved the book and especially the history he brought to the reader. Many facts that are not readily available to those who have not served and to those who have served. I highly recommend this book.
June 5, 2020
This was hilariously bad. Like your uncle decided to write a book about his job. And included poems he had written about his job.
November 19, 2021
Great read! Lots of history and facts.
June 3, 2024
This was fortunately short, kind of campy and cheesy in parts, but historically interesting because of some of the behind-the-scenes stuff he includes.
May 24, 2022
Really enjoy these books that give you insight to agencies, presidential perks and federal buildings. This book has all that. The author lost a star with his spiritual reflection All in All I recommend this book
February 19, 2014
Good easy read with short stories about several Presidents. Entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews