Wednesday, November 20, 2013

This was one of the most magical evenings that I have had in Washington in the 40 years that I have been here. I was invited with Christine to go to a Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the conferring of the Presidential Medals of Freedom. The event was held at the Smithsonian Museum of American History on 1300 Constitution Ave. NW., District of Columbia. The event was in celebration of several things. It commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy. It also was the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Presidential Medals of Freedom by Pres. Kennedy. We found out in a historical examination of the situation that Kennedy established the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February of 1963. He was intending to give out the first metals in December of 1963. However, as we know, sadly he was assassinated on November 23, 1963. Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson went ahead and conferred the medals one month after the death of Pres. Kennedy. He conferred the Medal to Pres. Kennedy post-humously and gave it to Jacqueline Kennedy who received it on her deceased husband's behalf. The reception and dinner that was held at the Museum of American History was extraordinary. Virtually everyone who is anybody in Washington, DC was there and it was highly populated by people who in the past had received the Medal. I had the opportunity to speak with Pres. Obama, President Clinton, as well as a nice conversation with Hillary Clinton. It was also the first time that I had the opportunity to speak with first lady Michelle Obama. The number of celebrities that were brought together for a group picture of all the former Medal winners as well as the people who recently won this year including people like Ben Bradley, Ernie Banks and others. It was truly an extraordinary evening. I mingled and talked with Ernie Banks and Hank Aaron, Bill Russell, generals, statesmen, et cetera. The evening was highlighted by a speech by Pres. Obama regarding the legacy of Pres. John F. Kennedy. In a poignant point in the evening, Pres. Obama was introduced in his speech by Jack Schlossberg who is the son of Caroline Kennedy and the grandson of Pres. Kennedy. Sitting at my table was former CIA director and FBI Dir. Bob Webster, Doug Kramer who is the former staff secretary to the President and currently General Counsel for USAID. Sitting right next to Christine was the legendary race car driver Richard Petty. All in all it was a truly spectacular evening there was entertainment by one of this year's Medal winner, Cuban musician Arturo Sandoval who was a protégé of Dizzy Gillespie. He gave one of the most extraordinary trumpet performances that I have ever heard in addition to extraordinary singing ability and a phenomenal piano piece that he played. Again this was truly an extraordinary evening. It was black tie, elegant setting. Military regalia as per the presence of the POTUS. The night was chilly, crisp and clear. LIST OF ATTENDEES AT GALA on Nov. 20: Expected Attendees at the Dinner in Honor of Presidential Medal of Freedom Awardees The White House.mht