Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
7335738
label
Pool Report - Aboard Air Force 1 - en route Chicago, Illinois
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
7335738
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
Pool Report - Aboard Air Force 1 - en route Chicago, Illinois
citationUrl
collections
White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
7335738
levelOfDescription
item
productionDates
day
19
logicalDate
1974-08-19
month
8
year
1974
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
efb41116bc04d5b3
ocrText
Digitized from Box 1 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
AUGUST 19, 1974
POOL REPORT
ABOARD AIR FORCE 1 - ENROUTE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
President and Mrs. Ford arrived at Andrews aboard Marine 1,
helicopter at 8:36 a.m. With them on chopper were Alexander
Haig, Robert Hartmann, Jerry terHorst, Dave Kennerly, Commander
Howard Kerr, a naval aide, and Dick Kaiser, head of his
Secret Service detail.
Wheels up at 8:43.
terHorst came back shortly after take-off with following
statement:
"The President was shocked and deeply saddened by the death
of Ambassador Davies in Nicosia today. The President has
asked Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to speak to this
tragic incident at the State Department briefing at noon.
This tragic incident emphasizes the urgent need for an end
to the violence on Cyprus and an immediate return to
negotiations toward a peaceful settlement."
On background, terHorst said Kissinger will amplify the
President's "very strong views on this tragedy and the
Cyprus situation."
He said the President talked with Kissinger at the White
House this morning shortly before boarding the helicopter.
The first time terHorst came back, he said the announcement
of a Vice President Tuesday night was likely, but he was not
certain of the format. He said he didn't expect it before
early evening. This did not necessarily mean that a selection
has been made, he said, suggesting that Tuesday night is a
"target date." He said the President will spend time tonight
on the Vice Presidential selection and when he makes up
his mind, the President will move rapidly to announce it.
A few minutes later, terHorst returned to say that he could
not rule out the possibility of the announcement coming as
early as Tuesday afternoon. "We haven't nailed it down,"
he said.
It is expected Tuesday or Wednesday, probably Tuesday, he
said, leaving a tiny crack in the door that "nothing is firm"
as to timing.
terHorst was asked if the Presidential aircraft is still called
the Spirit of 76, as named by President Nixon.
MORE
POOL REPORT - PAGE 2
He said, "we're calling it Air Force One. The Spirit of 76' is
still on the plane. No decision has been made, but you can
see we're calling it Air Force One." On the manifest, it was
referred to as The Spirit of 76, but the travel schedule, issued
by press office, refers to it as Air Force I.
terHorst said the President will accept diplomatic credentials
upon his return to Washington, and announced one addition to
the schedule.
From 6:30 to 8 p.m., President and Mrs. Ford will host a "very
small and private reception" for members of his Vice Presidential
secret service detail and wives.
terHorst announced that the pilot today was Air Force Lt. Col.
Lester C. McClelland, 42, of Masontown, Pennsylvania. He has
been designated as the President's official pilot.
He has been assigned to the 89th Military Airlift wing (special
(special missions) at Andrews AFB for 5-1/2 years. He occasionally
was co-pilot for Col. Ralph Albertazzie, Nixon's pilot, terHorst
said.
McClelland has been in the AF 19-1/2 years. He and wife,
.
Nancy have three young daughters. Mrs. McClelland is an elementary
principal of Glen Arden Woods school in Prince George's County,
Maryland.
Hartmann came back and said the President has narrowed
field of veeps to half a dozen. Expects to discuss job with
several without necessarily offering it to them, before he
picks the man. "This is an open Administration, but this is
properly the President's secret until he makes up his mind."
Hartmann said they are all Republicans and not all from one
political institution -- such as Congress or Governors. Said the
President said probably has talked to all six since he became
President, but not about the Vice Presidency. Then he backed
off, saying he wasn't sure.
Tom DeFrank, Newsweek
Tom Jarriel, ABC News
Aldo Beckman, Chicago Tribune