Past Leaders, Presidents, Kings/Queens, and Dictator's...

There's been so many. I'll start w/my experience of former US President Jimmy Carter. #39

I actually met the man in my Navy days when I was young and wreckless. Being so young and naive at the time, I criticized him often as did so many others. At first, I seen him as a coward. He's a pacifist at heart. Truly so honest and humble it damaged his administration. He's an extremely intelligent, intense man.

The day I met him onboard a US Submarine was a day I'll never forget. It was a dark day and most of us sailors had no inkling he was slated to tour our superb tin can. The moment we learned Jimmy Carter was coming aboard a minute before his arrival on a lazy day, there was a brief moment of silence - then blue and kaki streaks of lightning coming to attention w/out prompting. I swear I could see the dust settling in mid-air as I stared ahead. Wondering if my uniform was squared away and my bunk tidy as it should be. Then there was the immediate "Right Face!". We beat the words coming out of our Captain's mouth. He was proud. Then we heard the vaguely familiar voice of Jimmy Carter - "At ease Gentlemen." Then he appeared through the interior missile hatch door.

There was that trademark smile, laughing at us silently. He then said,"I'm one of you guys". He casually strolled between the 2 long rows to the end of those rows as he dismissed the Secret Service detail assigned to him. At the end of that particular walk, he did an 'about face' himself and said."I got my start as a submariner. It's good to be home again." So, we relaxed and started laughing. We were eager to shake hands and say hi as there was a brief argument over whom would give him a tour of the ship. I was at the tail end of that tour. We had his back, front, and sides.

As we came to the engineering section and paused at that hatch entry, the lead tour guide nervously informed him he had to have a pass to enter. Carter giggled and replied,"It's okay. I won't say a word unless the Captain disagrees." The answer from our Captain was,"Not a problem Mr. President".
Then Mr. Carter took note of me in the back and walked towards me. "Don't be afraid young man. I put my pants on just like you do."

He looked into my eyes w/great intensity and kindness. I've never seen so much intelligence. "You look like a Ga boy". All I could say was,"Yes Sir." He then smiled and giggled again as he turned back toward engineering and walked as he talked."Don't worry. You'll be home again soon boys. Thank you for your service. Where were we?

I don't remember much after that encounter. The rest was downhill. I almost shit my pants.

Sorry to seem impatient. I'm hungry for knowledge on leaders and unique or opposing POVs.

I never know cousin Jimmy but I ran into his mother. We played tic-tac-toe. A "pacifist at heart" does not volunteer for submarine service, study nuclear engineering, and become Hyman Rickover's aide. Pacifism is learned later, from bitter experience.

My personal encounters with prominent folks have been when they're "on". A public persona is donned. A performance is made. All the world's a stage and the scenery-chewing actors get noticed. Some are stars; some are character players; but a public figure has a public face. What you see is what you get. Sometimes they're even real.