July 14 , 2022 - Today marks what would have been the 107th birthday of the 38th President of The United States , Gerald Ford. Typically on this page a series of historical events in the life of the subject in this instance , Gerald Ford , would be listed. Since  your reporter once actually saw Ford in person , I thought it would be fun to share that memory.

The date was October 13 , 1976 and I was headed to my weekly 6:30 pm guitar lesson at a local music store on Route 22 in Union , New Jersey. Ford had spent the bulk of his day campaigning in New Jersey in the final stretch of his 1976 presidential campaign. Also in Union , New Jersey was a catering hall ,the Town and Campus ,  where Ford would end his day in the Garden State with a speech. Following this campaign event , Ford  was on his way to Newark  Airport , about  6 miles away.

As I arrived at the music store I saw that there was no traffic at all on the east bound side of Route 22 , which usually is quite busy at rush hour. Myself and other people in the parking lot went  to look at the highway to see what was going on. With that probably about 500 yards away a police car with flashing lights began to lead  President Ford's motorcade down the ramp onto the highway. Fortunately ,  drivers in the west bound lane slowly came to a stop to get a look at the unfolding scene.

With the traffic stopped ,  this allowed for myself and other lookers  to cross into the highway up to the three-foot wall separating  the east and west bound lanes. To greet as many potential voters as possible , Ford along with US Senator Clifford Case of New Jersey were visible to all as they were standing through the open moon roof of the presidential limo. Ford along with Case waved to the surprised people as the motorcade passed.

On a night when I thought I was on my way to just another Wednesday night guitar lesson , I got to see President Gerald Ford!

Now lets continue our birthday salute with some campaign buttons from Ford's 1976 race for The White House.

July 14 , 2022 - From the Mount Rushmore State comes 2024 Republican presidential hopeful South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Prior to being elected governor in 2018 , Noem served as South Dakota's at large U.S. Representative to Congress. Despite being from a state with a population under 900,000 , Noem , age 51 , has a significant national profile and is often a guest on public affairs new programs. 

In November of 2021 , Noem announced that she would seek a second term as Governor of South Dakota. Whether Noem , has her sights on a White House bid is  yet to be determined. Speculation of a Noem run for president has inspired campaign buttons promoting her as a presidential hopeful.

July 11 , 2022 - This is a first in a series of profiles on 2024 presidential contenders. We begin with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Born in Newark , New Jersey in 1962 , Christie first came to national attention when he was appointed by President George W. Bush as US Attorney for the Garden State in December of 2001.

In December of 2008 , Christie would leave the US Attorney office and begin a campaign to be the Governor of New Jersey. In November of 2009 , Christie , a republican was elected Governor of New Jersey. During his 2 terms as Governor of the many issues that Christie dealt with was pension reform.

On June 30 , 2015 Christie became a candidate for the 2016 Republican party presidential nomination. In February of 2016 , Christie's campaign would  end after coming in 6th in the New Hampshire presidential primary earning 7.4% of the votes cast.

With the 2024 presidential election looming , Christie , age 60 , will be one of the potential candidates to watch.

April 20 , 2021 - Walter Mondale who served at President Jimmy Carter's Vice President and  ran for the White House against President Ronald Reagan ,  has died at the age of  93. In 1976 , Mondale a U.S. Senator from Minnesota , was elevated to the national stage when Jimmy Carter selected him as his vice presidential running mate. Carter and Mondale will go on to win election that year.

In 1980 , Carter and Mondale lost their re-election bid. Mondale however , would secure the 1984 Democratic nomination and go on to face President Ronald Reagan in the November election. Though Mondale lost in a landslide , he would make history by selecting New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro to he his vice presidential running mate. Ferraro was the first woman to be on the  ticket of a national party.

Here now is look at a selection of Walter Mondale campaign buttons as we mark his passing.