When Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva, Switzerland for their first summit 28 years ago this week I was the only “outside” photographer in the room other than the two official U.S. and Soviet cameramen. I was on assignment for TIME, and it was one of the biggest scoops of my career. After the one-one-one meeting broke up, and as they were putting on their coats, Gorbachev seemed genuinely enamored with Reagan as you can see in the photo on the right. Their first encounter ended on an upbeat note. Reagan, a believer in personal diplomacy, scored one for the Gipper on that mission. It’s my feeling that I witnessed the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union on that cold day in Geneva.
Wally McNamee
I’ve been visiting with my friend and colleague former Newsweek photographer Wally McNamee in Hilton Head, SC over the last couple of days. Wally and I have know each other since the early 70s, and have made numerous presidential and other trips together, including to China, the Soviet Union, and other far-flung places. Wally’s wife Nikki, who was 67, passed away August 16, and he’s really missing her. She was also a friend of mine, and one of the nicest people I ever knew. Nikki was a Capitol Hill legislative assistant and retired as senior vice president for public policy at the American Council of Life Insurers. She worked as a legislative and administrative assistant to members of Congress Frank J. Horton (R-N.Y.), John N. “Happy” Camp (R-Okla.), James R. Mann (D-S.C.) and Carroll A. Campbell Jr. (R-S.C.). She later worked for Campbell when he became South Carolina governor.
Wally is surrounded by friends here in Hilton Head, and others around the country. They have all helped a great deal. His family has also been giving him tons of support, and they are the best. Throughout his ordeal, Wally has maintained a sense of humor, and undying love for Nikki.
Veterans Day, Davidson, NC
This was a patriotic-packed three days. First the christening of the nation’s latest and greatest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, named after my favorite president and former boss. I then drove south to stay with my friends Tom and Sheila Waskow at their beautiful house in Denver, NC. Tom was a USAF FAC pilot during the Vietnam War, and took me on a couple of missions that almost terminated us permanently. He retired as a three-star general/fighter pilot. Today we attended a Veterans Day celebration in Davidson, North Carolina. The event was keynoted by retired Col. Quincy Collins, a U.S. Air Force pilot whose F105 fighter was shot down over North Vietnam. He was captured, and held prisoner for seven and a half years by the enemy. Col. Collins gave a rousing speech to the crowd, and showed everyone what a real hero looks like. He also displayed a fine sense of humor, something he never lost during his long captivity. After the Vet’s Day activities, we drove over to the neighboring town of Cornelius where Sheila and her sister Theresa Schwab visited a plaque honoring their dad Jerry Crump who was a Medal of Honor recipient for his brave action during the Korean War. A fitting end to an emotional day.
Historic Yorktown
Today I visited Yorktown, Virginia, where the last great battle of the American Revolution was fought in 1781. The famous John Trumball painting , “The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, 19 October 1781” memorialized the event. Yorktown came under siege for the second time in 1862 when Union General McClellan began his campaign to capture Richmond. The Confederates withdrew from Yorktown, and today the Federal troops still seem to be there!
Soldier blows his own horn
USS Gerald R. Ford Christened
Today Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Ford, swings a mighty champagne bottle to christen the aircraft carrier named after her dad, the USS Gerald R. Ford, in Newport News, VA this morning.
The USS Gerald R. Ford Ready for Christening
Yesterday I took a look at the Navy’s latest and mightiest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. President Ford served heroically on a carrier in the Pacific during World War II, and this newsiest ship in the fleet is named after him. Susan Ford Bales, the president’s daughter in sponsor of the ship, and will dedicate it today during a ceremony at the Newport News shipyard. I’ll be there, and will post photos of the event!
USS Gerald R. Ford Preview
Yesterday I started out the morning with a visit to the U.S. Capitol. I was thinking about my trip to Newport News, VA for the dedication of America’s latest and greatest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, named after my late boss and friend. President Ford always considered himself, “A man of the House.” He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1948, and served until 1973 when he became Vice President of the United States, appointed to fill the office of Spiro Agnew who resigned in disgrace. I photographed a bust of him in the hallway near the senate chambers. All vice presidents serve as president of the senate, where they can only vote to break a tie. They are all represented with their likeness displayed in the halls of the senate.
The Washington Monument, 4 Views in 4 Minutes
Washington, D.C. Here’s a look at the Washington Monument from the National WWII Memorial tonight using the iPhone 5s with three different lenses and “films” with the Hipstamatic App, and one with the Pro HDR app. All taken within four minutes of each other
Traveling East
This is my second trip to Washington, D.C. from Los Angeles in a week. I never get tired of crossing over and looking down at the Rockies. Today was no different. I don’t know how many times I’ve flown over this particular patch, and it always looks different. After I arrived at Dulles Airport I raced over to the National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, VA, and was treated to one helluva sunset. It was my first time there, and it’s worth the trip just to see the Space Shuttle Discovery and the SR-71 Blackbird housed inside. Tomorrow I attend the annual dinner of the International Center for Journalists, and then down to Newport News for the christening of the USS Gerald R. Ford, our latest aircraft carrier that’s in a class of its own, (as was its namesake).
William Macy, A Great One
I love working with talented people, and the actor William Macy is one of the best. I was on the set of Showtime’s “Shameless” tonight at Warner Bros as the guest of director David Nutter and executive producer of the show Michael Hissrich. My son Jack is the reason I ventured over to Burbank to observe the production, he is interested in a film career, and was invited by David Nutter to watch him in action. Macy plays Frank Gallagher, a guy with a major drinking problem, and there’s no question that he isn’t a drunk, but plays one on TV! He kindly posed for a few portraits, and then also insisted that he and Jack have a shot, er picture together!