In the early 60's we had a visit from the Secret Service. The President of the USA, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was going to take an extended vacation in Naples. He was to stay on Gordon Drive, in a Gulf side mansion owned by a nationally known news correspondent. For now, the proposed stay was to be kept secret. At the NPD we were excited. Although Naples being a destination for celebrities was nothing new, we were talking about JFK, here in the Elephant's Graveyard. And whether you liked him or not--many cops didn't--it was still an honor to host the President.
This was going to take a lotta work. Most of it directed toward converting the property so that it afforded maximum protection for the President. We were amazed at what that required. One reason this particular home was selected was that the owner was a friend of the Kennedy family. But, more importantly, it had a huge iron gate, gate house, and an imposing wall across the front. The gate house was large enough to quarter several SS Agents. And the residence was stone, built like a fortress.
Communication and protective systems were other required additions. About thirty telephone lines were installed--this was to be a working vacation--plus a number of antennas, radios, and a state-of-the-art security and fire alarm system. The system included closed-circuit TV, seldom seen at the time.
Then the front gate, already massive, was reinforced. And the rear, Gulf side of the property, was fenced off. Emergency routes to the hospital and for evacuation were mapped out. The files were checked for known whackos in the area. A lotta work!
Over the years, when other Presidents or family visited, we learned that this dedication on the part of the Secret Service was a constant. After all, these are folks who have sworn to shield the President from harm with their own bodies. Stopping bullets and all.
Nothing is left to chance. When Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower visited each year, a special medical device was rented and placed in the NCH in the off chance she would need it for some rare malady she sometimes suffered. Later, a wealthy Naples patron learned of this and bought one for the hospital.
Anyway, finally the work was completed and we awaited the scheduled arrival of the man, himself, just a few days off. He never made it. I'm sure he would've were it not for a scheduled visit he had to make just beforehand.
A short stop over in Dallas, Texas, where all his future plans were abruptly canceled.
This was going to take a lotta work. Most of it directed toward converting the property so that it afforded maximum protection for the President. We were amazed at what that required. One reason this particular home was selected was that the owner was a friend of the Kennedy family. But, more importantly, it had a huge iron gate, gate house, and an imposing wall across the front. The gate house was large enough to quarter several SS Agents. And the residence was stone, built like a fortress.
Communication and protective systems were other required additions. About thirty telephone lines were installed--this was to be a working vacation--plus a number of antennas, radios, and a state-of-the-art security and fire alarm system. The system included closed-circuit TV, seldom seen at the time.
Then the front gate, already massive, was reinforced. And the rear, Gulf side of the property, was fenced off. Emergency routes to the hospital and for evacuation were mapped out. The files were checked for known whackos in the area. A lotta work!
Over the years, when other Presidents or family visited, we learned that this dedication on the part of the Secret Service was a constant. After all, these are folks who have sworn to shield the President from harm with their own bodies. Stopping bullets and all.
Nothing is left to chance. When Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower visited each year, a special medical device was rented and placed in the NCH in the off chance she would need it for some rare malady she sometimes suffered. Later, a wealthy Naples patron learned of this and bought one for the hospital.
Anyway, finally the work was completed and we awaited the scheduled arrival of the man, himself, just a few days off. He never made it. I'm sure he would've were it not for a scheduled visit he had to make just beforehand.
A short stop over in Dallas, Texas, where all his future plans were abruptly canceled.
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