The world is a book,
and those who do not travel read only one page."
St. Augustine
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| A complete wall in the George and Laura Bush Presidential Library is dedicated to reading, and this wall captured by attention . |
How do we remember our presidents? As little child I heard and repeated this knock knock joke, and to this day it still makes no sense.
"Knock Knock."
"Who's there?"
"Eisenhower."
"Eisenhower who?"
"Eisenhower late to work this morning."
I may not have known the meaning or context of that joke, but I did know that he was our President and fought in World War II. My parents much admired him for his service and dedication to our country, and he also loved to play golf which kept him on my childhood radar. When dad talked about Eisenhower or Truman mother often brought up Maimie and Bess. It seems relevant now as I reflect that the first two Presidential Libraries that Jack and I visited belonged to Eisenhower then Truman and there is no comparison between the two.
On a cold February day we drove to Abilene, Kansas and toured a building that looked much like a vault, but oh, the glorious beauty that was hidden inside those concrete walls can only be compared to the Queen's jewels. The Eisenhower's were the last presidential family to receive so many elaborate gifts that stunned my eyes. (No photos, sadly) The contrast of seeing his war stories displayed, the golden jewel studded gifts, and then his humble boyhood home compelled me to think of my parents and the respect they showed our
Presidents. Eisenhower slide show
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| Boxcar, the plane that dropped the bombs on Nagasaki. Air Museum, Dayton, Ohio |
Our tour of the Truman library seemed very subdued, but perhaps it is the history stored there that causes that feeling. I was teaching at Truman Elementary (1995) in Norman when a group of Japanese teachers spent a week in Norman and visited our school. I will never forget the eye contact I made with the interrupter when she looked up and saw the name "Truman" on the front of the school. She looked right at me before she spoke. All I could do was nod, as fifty-three years of history passed before our eyes.
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| A silkscreen done meticulously thread by thread creating a 3D effect. |
The art and honesty in the Jimmy Carter library captured our hearts, as it stated over and over the anguish men and women of a nation's leadership go through before making decisions that will affect the lives of citizens. He also gave tribute to those who had gone before him, and shared his family with us as we walked through. His library seem to vibrate with intelligence, distinguished people, and worldly issues.
The layers upon layers of history are told bravely and orderly in the Clinton
Such contrasts we found between the finely manicured landscapes of several libraries and the native feel and appearance of George H.Bush's landscape where country is captured in the city. It truly felt free and open with a strong reverence for nature. George W. Bush Library
Our hearts broke the day we visited the George H.W. Bush library for Barbara had died only weeks before, and we found ourselves drifting to the family cemetery on the library grounds. One by one families paid their respect to Barbara and the daughter we never knew. We stood at her graveside with respect and admiration not only for her and her family, but for their love of country.
No matter which library we visit, it is the touch of humanity, irony, reflection, and loss that seems to touch us the most. Even though it is their history, it is OUR history, too. 
