‚We jumped in tandem with members of the U.S. Army Parachute team, the Golden Knights‘
With today being Presidents’ Day, I thought I’d share with you my personal stories of being friends with two modern presidents whom I grew to love like family. One I even skydived with!
But first, a little interesting background information on this day if you didn’t know it.
Presidents’ Day started as a day to remember George Washington’s birthday and eventually evolved into a day to honor all U.S. presidents.
Americans began celebrating Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22 after his death in 1799.
In 1862, Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation to celebrate Washington’s birthday.
In 1879, Washington’s birthday became a federal holiday.
But with Lincoln born on Feb. 12 and Washington on Feb. 22, the nation created one day to celebrate them both.
So, in 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved President’s Day to the third Monday in February.
Over time, the idea behind Presidents’ Day evolved not only to recognize Washington and Lincoln, but all presidents, as well as to celebrate the office of the presidency itself.
Who are my favorite presidents? I’m glad you asked!
I’m a big fan of America’s founding presidents, but if I have to choose, in more modern times, my favorites presidents were Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
I met President Reagan in the 1980s when I accepted an invitation from first lady Nancy to her White House celebrity tennis tournament.
One day Nancy’s assistant called my office. She explained that the first lady was having a tennis celebrity event at the White House, and she wanted to invite me to participate.
My assistant said she would call me and then let her know if I would be able to make it to the event.
When my assistant called me and explained Mrs.
