TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bay Area Soldier Recalls Meeting Obama

Photo from the Department of Defense

Meeting President-elect Barack Obama was a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience,' says 1st Lt. Michael Meyer.

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: January 19, 2009

When 1st Lt. Michael Meyer of the Army Reserve helps seat 25,000 VIPs for Barack Obama's inauguration on Tuesday, he may flash back to the day the president-elect personally thanked him for his hard work.

Meyer, of Pinellas Park, met Obama on Jan. 8. Obama shook Meyer's hand, along with all the members of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, during a surprise visit to the committee's building.

Meyer said he remembers the 44th president telling committee members, "Thank you for all the hard work you are doing here. Me, my staff, and my family really appreciate it. I think the event is going to go well. It might be a little cold, but I'm sure everything is going to turn out just great."

In an e-mail to News Channel 8 on Monday, Meyer called the meeting with Obama a "once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"I will never forget meeting the President of the United States," Meyer, of the Army Reserve Medical Command of Pinellas Park said in the e-mail. "It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the planning during this historic event."

Meyer was assigned to the inaugural committee in December. His responsibilities include seating the 25,000 VIPs on the White House's west front lawn on Tuesday. The VIPs include 47 Medal of Honor recipients and a number of Tuskegee Airmen.

The committee carries on the tradition of honoring the new commander-in-chief by providing military ceremonial support during the inauguration. The tradition dates back more than 200 years.

In his e-mail, Meyer said he is optimistic about Obama's upcoming term.

"I am confident President Obama will successfully guide America through the difficult times ahead," he said. "I have confidence in the spirit of the American people, that we will pull together during difficult times and confront the challenges that face us."

Share this:

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT