Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Dinner at the home (Villa Firenze on Albermarle Street, N.W.) Italian Ambassador to the USA Giovanni Castellenata and his wife Leila in honor of Dr. Enrico Garaci, the president of the Istituto Superiore della Sanita in Rome. Also present were Ruggero DeMaria Marchiano (Director of Research at the Institute), Frank Carlucci and wife, Daniel Daniello (Founding Partner of the Carlyle Group) Simone Bemporad (Senior VP, Media Relations and Intern. Affairs of Finmeccanica SPA), Michael Ansari (Pres and CEO MIC Industries), Francesco Celi of NIDDK, NIH. Discussed what the Obama Administration might mean for the future. Jan. 9 – 10, 2009 – Most extraordinary 2 days. Drive with Chris to Norfolk, VA to witness the commissioning ceremony of the USS George H.W. Bush - CVN77. This was at the invitation of Bush 41. Amazingly, I was given a “Red” pass which was for “super VIPs”. Arrived on a Friday night (Jan. 9) and stayed at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, VA. This was an overflow, yet superb hotel, since I send in my RSVP rather late as I was somewhat ambivalent about driving 3 hours and 45 minutes to the ceremony. What a mistake that would have been not to go. Patty Conrad used her influence and experience with White House social people to allow a late RSVP. In fact, Patty was invited also related to her years in the Bush 41 White House as Advance Team member. Attended elegant reception and buffet on Friday night at the Marriott in Norfolk. Met many of the Bush 41 and 43 people that I have known over the many years. Included were Andy Card, Marlin Fitzwater, John Sununu (we reminisced about the day I said no the Bush 41 in the Oval Office when he offered me the NIH job). Also saw Phil Brady who worked for Bush 41 when he was VP, Tim McBride, David Demerest, Roger Porter, Kevin Moley, among others. Bush 41 and Barbara Bush came to the reception and Bush made some comments. Floods of people wanted to say hello. I got to speak with Mrs. Bush and she told me how proud she was of what I have been doing over these many years and said that she and George H.W talk about me often when they see me in the news. Did not get a chance to say hello to Bush 41 since there were too many people crowding him and I did not want to appear aggressive. I will write him a note. Patty Conrad was at the reception with Betsy Wilder and they saw many old friends from WH days. Saturday (Jan. 10) was glorious with clear blue skies and 45 to 50 degrees. Chris an I went on a nice run around the harbor in the AM and then took off for the ceremony. The entire naval and naval air base of Norfolk/Portsmouth is immense and beautiful. We were fortunate to have red passes since there were 17,000 people at the commissioning and we zoomed right in. We actually had seats on the side deck right across from the front deck where Bush was. We sat 1 row from W’s daughters Barbara and Jenna, both of whom I know (see notes above). None of the ceremony took place on the top deck, all the second level decks. The view and ceremony were one of the most special things that I have experienced. The POTUS, VP Cheney, Laura Bush all flew in by Helicopter to