For an intimate look inside the “White House” structure, don’t miss Dick Bettin’s presentation on Sunday, Feb. 9 beginning at 1p.m. in the Community Room at the T.B. Scott Library. History buffs of all ages will not want to miss this program in the “Words Worth Hearing” series.
Sergeant Richard Bettin (retired) was stationed at the icon of the Free World, the White House in Washington D.C., during his Army career from January 1956 to August 1958. Bettin was chosen through the Army’s careful screening process for his duty at the White House during the Eisenhower administration. At the time, however, the significance of the job was lost on him.
“I didn’t realize at the time how important it was,” he said. “I was young and didn’t appreciate where I was.”
In fact, when Eisenhower was re-elected, Bettin was given a ticket to the inauguration activities, but gave it away.
A member of the Army Signal Corp, Bettin operated a switchboard in a bomb shelter under the White House. He only met President Eisenhower a handful of times while he worked there.
Dick, as he has been known throughout Northcentral Wisconsin, will have a Power Point presentation as well as mementoes giving the listener an intimate tour of the history and workings of the White House. His Army career offers us a rare glimpse and helps us better understand the history of the structure and its folklore.
A 1955 Merrill High School graduate, Bettin hopes that this Words Worth Hearing series for all ages will inspire others to look at our Democratic structures as history rather than just government buildings.
Refreshments will be provided by the Checkered Churn and First Street Coffee Station during this T.B. Scott Library program.
For additional information on T.B. Scott Free Library’s Words Worth Hearing series, call 715-536-7191, check Facebook or www.tbscottlibrary.org