How many times in your life can you say you shook the hand of a President?
Unfortunately, my answer to that question is still "Zero." But, my family can now say, “One!”
There have only been eight presidents during my lifetime – and I have never been as close to any of them as I was today to former president Bill Clinton.
Friday morning, Mayor Barrett, Mahlon Mitchell and President Clinton were holding a GOTV rally at Pere Marquette Park in downtown Milwaukee. Clinton had made the announcement Thursday morning that he would be speaking Friday which was less than 24 hours notice. My wife and I certainly wanted to attend.
Since I work downtown, I only needed to walk a few blocks. Mrs. ForestLake, however, had to drive in with the kids in tow. She left with enough time to find a parking spot knowing that I could meet here there.
I was running late at work and missed Tom Barrett’s opening remarks. As I walked the perimeter of the crowd looking for my wife and family I tried sending text messages to find out here location. There were easily over one thousand people there. But, my text messages kept getting bounced back as ‘undeliverable’. AT&T's 3G system must have been overloaded with everyone in the park at the same time.
After a while I gave up looking and listened to Clinton speak. I have listened to plenty of good public speakers in my time, but I have never heard a president in person. I was glad I went. He was engaging, articulate, energetic and passionate. Everything you would expect from "the Big Dog".
At one point, Clinton asked everyone to look around at each other in the crowd and to remember this moment. Remember the diversity that was represented because that is what makes up America. Together, we are united! Together, we are prosperous. Once we start down the road of "Divide and Conquer" all is lost. It was a good speech but I remember that part especially. He is right, we are a nation built on the strength of our diversity.
Afterwards, I found my family and we chatted with some friends in the crowd. Things were winding down when my wife noticed that Clinton and Barrett were walking the fence and shaking hands with the crowd. We gathered the kids up, all three, and hurried to the end of the line trying to get as close to the fence as we could. We were behind a few rows of people and worried that President Clinton would not even make it that far. He sure was taking his time......
But, Clinton and Barrett continued to work their way down the fence and were soon within 10 feet of us. My youngest (age 5) couldn't see so I lifted her onto my shoulders. I quickly pulled out my iPhone and started taking photos.
What happened next we will never forget. As President Clinton worked his way up towards where we were standing he stopped to chat with some supporters just a few feet away. When he looked up to continue on down the fence my wife got his attention somehow. I honestly do not know what she did or said (it was something like "Mr. President, I'm here with my kids!!") but whatever she did it was enough to make him stop and look at her. At that instant, and without any hesitation, President Clinton leaned between 3 rows of adults to shake not just Mrs. ForestLake's hand, but those of my two oldest. As he straightened up, he noticed my five year old on my shoulders and gave a heartfelt "Hello, there!" before spinning away. It was over as quickly as it had begun.
Alas, I was too busy trying to snap photos that my hand was not extended to meet his. And, because I was so preoccupied with the fact that he was shaking hands with my family my pictures were not the best. It will however be one of our most memorable moments.
I am glad my kids can now say they shook the hand of a President. And, while I can't claim the same, I can proudly say that I watched as my kids shook President Clinton's hand.
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