“My days in this office are nearly through, but my days of service, I hope, are not. In the years ahead, I will never hold a position higher or a covenant more sacred than that of president of the United States. But there is no title I will wear more proudly than that of citizen.”
This was the last sentences of President Bill Clinton’s televised farewell speech to the nation on January 19th, 2001. It’s been 6 years since he left the office, but his outstanding popularity is higher than before. How do I know that? I met former President Bill Clinton and shook his hand. You can watch the video here.
A dream-come-true handshake that left me speechless
It was very exciting to meet the most powerful person who controlled the world for eight years. During his presidency, the domestic policies were as successful as international ones. He had the knowledge, experience, courage, and charisma to bring opposite ends together, find a middle ground, and work towards a peaceful and productive solution. He wasn’t only American’s president, he was world’s president as well. More than most presidents, you could never separate Bill Clinton the man from Bill Clinton the president, the person from the politician. That’s why millions of people still love and respect him. In my humble opinion, he’s one of the most brilliant minds of our time.
Preparation started early in the morning
The law firm of Keesal, Young and Logan and the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach have made a name for themselves by bringing in top-flight speakers for their annual fundraising luncheon for the Boys and Girls Club which provides after-school programs for about 4,500 disadvantaged youths in Long Beach, CA. This year’s speaker former President Bill Clinton was expected to arrive at about 3 p.m. at the offices of Keesal, Young and Logan, and speak to a sell-out group of about 300.
The preparation started early in the morning. Front parking spaces were reserved for his motorcade. Red carpet rolled down on his walkway. Secret service checked every corner with their legendary earpieces to make sure everything is according to plan.
At 2:40 I went down with my camcorder, and waited with my colleagues in front of the building. 5 minutes later secret service asked us to move a little bit farther to open enough space for the president. We were about 30 people and all of us were very excited about the event.
When Skip Keesal showed up at the building’s entry door, I knew Bill Clinton was about to arrive. Shortly after, Keesal walked towards the garage entry and a minute later I saw Bill Blinton’s reflection on the window! He was chatting with Keasal and walking towards the building where I have been waiting.
When I saw former President Bill Clinton
With his usual charm, he turned to the crowd and started shaking hands. I walked towards him with my camcorder still recording every second. I shook his hand and looked at his eyes, his face, his posture, and his famous hands. I wanted to tell him lot of things but I was speechless, and only said “Hi� with a smile on my face. He kept shaking hands with others. I recorded the moment in close distance. For a split second there wasn’t anymore people around him, and he was right in front of me. So, I extend my hand again for another hand shake, to my suprise he shook my hand again! I couldn’t talk, just smiled. He had a great big smile too. I will always remember him with that smile. And then he entered the building, went to upstairs for luncheon.
Clinton has a legendary reputation for making you feel, at least for those few fleeting seconds, that you really are the most important person in his world. As almost everyone who has met Bill Clinton tell that he exudes a remarkable presence at close quarters. I felt exactly the same way when I met him today.
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