Washington, DC; July 12, 1974.

I am standing between my grandparents, Leroy and Donna Barmes, and our Indiana 6th District US Representative, Elwood “Bud” Hillis on the steps of the United States Capitol building.

We had just returned to the USCB parking lot after paying our respects to Chief Justice Earl Warren, who was lying in state in the US Supreme Court building, and nearing the steps going up to the U.S. Senate when a limousine pulled up to the steps.

A familiar gentleman in a light blue suit hopped out of the limousine, and hurried over to greet Congressman Hillis. I mediately recognized the gentleman as vice President Gerald Ford, less than a month away from being sworn in as President of the United States.

This was one of the most incredible days for a nine-year-old boy who didn’t even mind missing the Watergate hearings on television. 

I was right smack dab in the middle of Watergate world, and you could feel the tension hanging in the air everywhere you went in Washington DC.