Jim Lollar, B-52 Gunner, 4th Allied POW Wing

After returning from the Hanoi Hilton in North Viet Nam, President Nixon held a reception for all the POW’s at the White House back in May 1973. At the “formal” banquet, we were all gathered on the White House lawn in a rather large tent similar to what you would see for a “3-ring” circus. We were escorted to our respective tables & as the dinner hour arrived, we were one salad short at my table. There were numerous waiters dressed in “tuxedos” running around all over the place, ensuring we were “properly” seated & served. The “short” salad was brought to my attention, so I looked over my shoulder, tugged on the nearest tail, & guess who turned around. Yep, you guessed it, none other than President Nixon. He said hello & welcome, then asked what I wanted. Dumbfounded as I was, I stammered a meek apology, but he insisted on an explanation so I told him of the missing salad. He didn’t waiver, delay, or call a “waiter”, rather, he promptly left & returned with a salad, served it to the lady who didn’t have one, & wished us all a happy evening. She & I were both “red-faced” for awhile, but still a glorious night to remember. And yeah, I pulled President Nixon’s tail...but only once...!!!