HILLARY: AGAIN, AND AGAIN
Iām going to recount the first time I ever met Hillary Clinton. It was on Marine One, helicoptering to Camp David for a weekend, with the First Family.
I was brand new to the Military Aide position and this was my first trip to Camp David. It was a Saturday morning and I was a little trepidatious, to say the least.
Of course, Iād heard all about Hillary from my predecessor. In my few weeks of āin briefingsā before I assume this volatile position, her name came up frequently.
Heād warned me about her temperament and her propensity to go off on any and all staffers, including her husband. In fact, during my āin briefingsā he told me that I could upset Bill Clinton, and heād brush it off.
But if I were to piss Hillary off, sheād rip my heart out. Now, Iām a fairly intelligent guy so I registered it. Donāt piss her off.š¤£
On this particular morning, and every other time on a presidential trip, Iād always boarded Marine One last, letting the First Family board first along with the doctor and Secret Service agents. I always used the rear steps, with āthe football.ā
My seat on the helicopter was always immediately adjacent to the president and āFirst Lady.ā On this particular day, Chelsea was also coming.
I sat in my assigned seat, set the āfootballā down and approached Hillary. āHi maāam, Iām Major Buzz Patterson. Iām the new Air Force Aide. Wonderful to meet you.ā I also introduced myself to Chelsea and sat back down.
Hillary was curt and quiet. She nodded without saying a word. Chelsea was rude and looked at me like I had 3 heads. The disdain for the military among these two was palpable. My predecessor was right,
āWell, that was awkward,ā I thought to myself.
It never got ānot awkward.ā š¤£š¤£š¤£