A lifetime incident illustrating the true quality of a person at the top.

From The Top

Deeply satisfying is recalling an event different and singular.
It was an unforgettable bright morning in Washington DC, as
I walked past The White House, home of our Nation's leader.
Its occupant was in the final months of his historic presidency.
Harry Truman, who ended World War II with the controversial
bomb, saving millions of American and Allied lives. Still highly
popular, he was successfully guiding huge post war prosperity.

Upon being stopped by a single guard at the White House gate,
I watched as a black limousine halted at Pennsylvania Avenue.
Within a few seconds a rear window rolled down and a smiling
famous face called out to me, a loud cheerful, "Good morning!"
I gave a shocked sputtering, "Good morning, Mister President,"
and heard the guard say that it was a first. Recently, I recalled
being greeting by the man from the top in his humble kindness.


F William Broome 2008