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From: Neva Service To: Helene Drown RE: The Presidential Medal of Freedom for Charles LeRoy Lowman, M.D.. 3 pgs. [Subject: Personal] [Letter], 2/26/1872
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From: Neva Service To: Helene Drown RE: The Presidential Medal of Freedom for Charles LeRoy Lowman, M.D.. 3 pgs. [Subject: Personal] [Letter], 2/26/1872
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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16
7
2/26/1872
Personal
Letter
From: Neva Service To: Helene Drown RE:
The Presidential Medal of Freedom for
Charles LeRoy Lowman, M.D.. 3 pgs.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Page 1 of 1
1026 S. Larch Street
Inalewood, California 90301
February 26, 1972
Ars. Jack Drown
/ Crest Drive
Rolling this Estates, California 90274
Dear Mrs. Drown:
I have been prompted by the recent news story of Feb. 21 in the Los (ingeles Times
regarding the close friendship which you and Mr. Drown have enjoyed for years with
President and Mrs. Nixon, to write to you at this time.
For some time, I have been acting as correspondent for a group of educators, who
were later joined by medical and paramedical organizations; also by members of
certain business men's service clubs, all interested in gaining Presidential
recognition of Charles LePoy Lowman, M.D., for whom we seek presidential Medal
of Freedom. Dr. Lowman, now 92, is the very-active founder of Orthopacdic
Hospital in Los Anneles (2400 S. Flower Street), an institution which has developed
into an outstanding Medical Center for the Handicarned -- starting from a meagre
clinic, set up with a mere $500 in cash, and staffed by a handful of volunteer
women from Dr. Lowman's Church-Guild. His achievements have been phenomenal in
regard to his influence in the field of orthopaedic practice; also in that of
education; but we see his most-unusual humanitarion qualities as perhaps topping
both. His prominence in all regards has been noticed all across the Nation; not
only in the Southern California Community; and satellite-clinics, starting as
Dr. Sowman's first clinic (volunteers and a shoe-string budget) have been inspired
in Argentina, and on the 11. S. - Nexico border (Calexico - Mexicali). Children
from the latter-area are transported by plane -- private Flying Club -- to
Orthopaedic Hospital when surgical procedures are required. The basis for care
has always been that of an idealist: care for the whole-child or person who is
in need of orthopaedic care, regardless of race, creed, color or ability to pay
for such services. The need is always great, and Dr. Lowman has never ceased
giving freely of his time and energies --- early in his career he guided his
activities solely in the direction of following his idealistic dream of serving
humanity with his special skills, thus passing up what could have been a very
lucrative private practice.
Pg 2
Over quite a period of time, we have been able to build up a file on Dr. Lowman
which is being held in ashington in the office of one of / resident Nixon's aides
but in spite of correspondence. from the "Thite House, we are yet uncertain as to
whether or not President Nixon has ever been advised of its contents, and of the
diversified representation in numerous, forwarded endorsements of our request for
his consideration of our candidate. ""e do know however, that Dr. Lowman has been
approved for this highest of civilian honors, and that his name has been placed
on a long list of candidates avaiting selection. Hopefully, the President may
soon wish to recognize one or more medical doctors.
"ith Ars. Nixon's obvious interest in volunteer programs for he handicapped
I wrote to her under date of December 28th, to inform her of the membership of the
now-very-large group of citizens scattered all ouch the Nation, eager to promote
the candicacy of Dr. Lovean. The timing of my letter proved to be poor, but
I did receive a warm response from lirs. Gwen King, Director of Correspondence for
Mrs. Mixon (under date of 1/7/72), stating that she would be happy to tell
Mrs. Nixon of our interest, upon her return from Africa. "e were further encouraged
by her adding: 11 In the meantime, I am lorwarding it (letter) to the official on
the President's staff directly involved in matters of this nature." It is our hope
naturally, that Ars. Nixon may wish to place before the President, the qualifica-
tions of Dr. Lowman, and be the means of assurance that such has been done. If
only we may know for certain that we have reached President Nixon personally with
this request, we will truly be grateful.
olitics should not enter into the granting of such avards, but as a volunteer who
has been working with Victory Sauads for the Republican / arty, and in an election
year in particular, my mind turns to the possibilities for votes from members of
the groups I presently represent in this ef ort for Dr. Lowman. In the Los Angeles
area, I am fully ware of the large, general registration of Democrats. I suspect
that our own group consists 08' more Democrats than Republicens, and I anfaware of
the fact that some of these Democrats are quite disenchanted with the present list
of Democratic hopefuls in regard to the Presidency. Two such, whom I know well
have stated that they would vote for President Nixon if only he would recognize
g 3
our candidate
coursed, I commented that they were now showing rare
good-judgment. They could be serious.
Dr. Lowman has lived cost of his years in California, but is a native of the
State of Illinois where he is greatly-rescected, and entertained whenever he
visits. The memberships of the many medical and professional grouns in which he
holds membership (several Orthopaedic Medical Associations in particular are
backing our request) total many thousands. The Los Angeles County Medical
Association alone, which named Dr. Lowman II Doctor of the Century during their
Centennial year in 1971, claims 10,000 members. In late-January, the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (selective) convened in "ashington, D.C., with
7600 registrants in attendance. These are but two.
Special recognition, in acknowledgement of 50 years of membership, is planned
for Dr. Lowman when he attends the Annual Convention of the American Orthopaedic
Association to be held in Cermuda, June 26 to June 29. That group of his peers
long aco added its endorsement of Dr. lownan's condidacy for Presidential recogni-
tion. If such is to be forthcoming, it is now our hope that it might be granted
to him at a time close to those dates -- just prior to the start of the meetings
were it to be stanned for a Washington presentation. of course, we would love
to have such take place in San Clemente, at an earlier date if possible.
"ould you and Mr. Drown feel that you could mention this matter to either President
Nixon or Mrs. Nixon; possibly both? There is always the chance of a lapse in
communication between such busy people as are in the "hite House. Attorney General
John N. Aitchell might be interested also, when he turns to the running of
President Nixon's reelection campaign. I am serious in my belief that to overlook
Dr. Lowman now, in regard to this honor, might lose some otherwise-forthcoming
Nixon votes. This would appear to be a most-pronitious time to recognize a great
humonitarian; while the thinking of many is in terms of world as well as national
relationships.
Sincerely yours,
here Service
( Miss) Neva Service
N S: as
Res. Phone: 677 677-7663