How many people do you know who have actually met a former President of the United States? Well, since former President Jimmy Carter recently passed away at age 100, I was asked to share a story about our Wanamingo Scout troop 76, and how in 1997, the boys and their leaders had an opportunity to meet him, and get a picture with him, too!
It started with a trip to the Florida Keys, while attending the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base program on New Year's Day in 1997. This program teaches kids how to snorkel, scuba dive, and kayak, as well as being able to see creatures from the sea that you'd never find in Minnesota!
The first days they stayed at the Florida Sea Base, a national scout camp at Islamorada, Florida, where they stayed in the dorms. The first day there, they went to Pigeon Island and learned about the historic 7 mile Bridge, and had a history tour. It was there that they learned about and experienced snorkelling and sailing.
The fourth day, they took a boat to Big Munson Island, a small deserted island, 6 miles from the base. More snorkelling and kayaking, as well as viewing and petting the native key deer that reside there. They saw sting rays, sea turtles and a variety of salt water fish, sponges and coral. They also fished and caught 3 to 5 foot barracudas!
While fishing on New Year's Day, some of the boys got seasick, so they decided to rest at a small island called Pine Key, where by coincidence, they saw former President Jimmy Carter and his family. They were on vacation there, and the boys asked permission to talk to him, and get a few pictures! What an experience to have! He was the 39th President of our country, serving from 1976 to 1981. He ran for a second term, but was defeated by Ronald Reagan. He was a Navy officer, a governor, an author of 32 books, and started The Carter Foundation with his wife Rosalyn. He taught Sunday School, and was an advocate for social justice.
If I ever got to meet a former President, Jimmy Carter would have been the one I would have wanted to meet. While he held a controversial position while in office, due to his very liberal views, he accomplished so many things in his lifetime after his term, that he is one of America's heroes. Always a human rights advocate and a humanitarian, he served Habitat for Humanity for a week out of every year until he was unable to participate. He was instrumental as a diplomat in the Panama Canal construction, and in the FFA program. He even received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He holds the title of the oldest living president, the longest married president (75 years) and has too many accolades to list. I would encourage you to look into his life for a very interesting biography of a man who wasn't afraid to stand up for what he believed in, and always took action for the betterment of our citizens. RIP, Jimmy!