Millersville University - Touchstone Yearbook (Millersville, PA)

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To insure safety MU alumnus returned with President's Staff by cris collingwood A Millersville alumnus returned to campus to prepare Pucillo Gymnasium for President Reagan s campaign rally. Major John T. Moore. USMC. returned to his alma mater to insure safety on Pucillo field for the presidential landing. Moore graduated from MU on May 10. 1973. he was in the first class to graduate in Pucillo. At the same time he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Although he graduated with a BS in Biology Education, he has always Known he wanted to fly. Eleven years after graduation. Moore is a Marine One Advance Officer, part of the MMX-1 squadron. The main purpose of the squad is to support the President and the Vice-president whenever they travel. To join the squad. Moore said the pilot must have a specified number of flight hours, request the position, and then allow extensive background checks to be made. The background checks determine if the pilot is the type of person that should be around the President, he said. I like to stay specifically with the helicopters. I work with the White Mouse staff concerning the helicopter s landing, direction, etc., he said. Each helicopter is manned by two pilots and one crew member. The crew chief is responsible for the inside to fly the President and the outside to present the President, he said. Every time they're flown, the helicopters are cleaned outside and inside. The presidential helicopter is strictly a VIP aircraft and must be maintained to VIP standards, said Moore. The fleet of VIP helicopters are marked similarly to other marine copters. The Presidential seal is put on the helicopters prior to trips. It s a piece of steel that fits in an insert that fits on the helicopter when the President is on board. said Moore. We have Vice-Presidential seals, also.” Along with the executive staff, the squad also flies any foreign leaders when they visit this country, he said. For this visit. My job is to ensure the safety set up, he said. I put markers down and ensure there are no obstacles in the way. This was a very easy place to set up. Moore started his career in the Marine Corps Education and Development Corps where he attended Basic School. This 26 week course was the basic military and officer training. Upon completion of the school, Moore went to Pensacola for a year in flight school. My first experience with flying was actually at the Lancaster Airport. Through the Platoon Leaders Class at Millersville. I flew solo In a Cherokee, he said. A Cherokee is a single engine aircraft. From Pensacola, Moore was sent to Air Station Mew River where he stayed for five years. During his stay he manned a Hughey Helicopter and served two six month deployments in the Mediterranean area. Later, he was sent to Cuba under the Carter administration as a reinforcement exercise. As a captain. Moore went to school. Me spent nine months in Amphibious Warfare School. In 1980. he went to Quantico, Virginia and joined HMX-I experimental squadron. Anything that is purchased for the helicopters is tested by the Corps. We get

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Among the dignitaries present on the platform was President Caputo. Caputo ,c ‘ gave some welcoming remarks before President Kcagan addressed the crowd. Photo by Dr. Ronald Sykes Dutch Reagan Although Lancaster County Is a Republican stronghold, many protestors came out to support the Mondalc Fcrraro campaign. The majority of the protestors remained In control and peacefully demonstrated their opposition. Photo by Dr. Ronald Sykes Continued from page 14 a series of resounding cheers. A thunderous roar of approval was received from the purely partisan crowd during the President's address, which lasted 45 minutes. However, mixed in the audience were a number of protestors who attempted to voice their own opinions via sign-waving and shouting. Many more protestors were located outside of the gymnasium. The significance of the event touched the hearts of one of MU's students and her parents in a more personal way. Julie Templin, who received a rare type of bone marrow transplant for treatment of Leukemia, had received a card and personal letter from Reagan during her time of treatment. Julie had the honor of presenting the President with a dozen red roses, the symbol of Lancaster City. After the presentation. Julie asked for three small requests. Because she is a Communications major and Reagan is known as the Great Communicator, she asked if he had any tips to offer her to become successful in her career. Reagan reminisced about the days when he was know as Dutch Reagan who broadcasted football and baseball games. Mis tip was, Never look at a microphone and think of millions of unknown people. Think of people you know and love, and you will be successful. Julie s second request was for a big hug to which the President complied. Her third request was directed toward the audience. I want everyone to vote for Ronald Reagan. It was at that time the President gave her another hug. and photographs of that moment were later printed all over the nation. Julie's parents, Harold and Mary Joe Templin. were very moved by the President s warmth toward their daughter. Mrs. Templin said after the event that she and her husband were proud of their daughter. They were also grateful that the President s staff along with the University had provided this once-in-a-lifetlme experience for Julie. By Wednesday, everything was back to normal at the University except for the many memories that will remain in the minds of the MU community. After all, it took over 200 years for a president of the United Stated to visit the campus, so it may very well be another 200 years until another President makes a whistle-stop to Millers-ville. ■ Reagan 17

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the things after Pacs River tests the engineering capabilities.” said Moore. We test for the tactical aspects. It's fun. but it's not dangerous. Moore said he's really excited to be back. What's really exciting Is you see these people you haven't seen in years,” he said. I'm also anxious to look around the rest of the campus. Moore lived in Burrowes Hall for one year and Bard Mall for another. In his junior year, he lived in Lancaster and in his senior year he lived off Route 999. Moore said his four year tour duty in Quantico will end in May. He will then be sent to Okinawa for one year. After that. I would like to get a staff job in DC so I won't have to move so much,” he said. I don't mind moving but if I don't have to, like anyone, I won't,” he said. About his job, Moore said. It s exciting and enjoyable. I've met some very interesting people where I set up. People bend over backwards to help us with what we re doing.” ■ t iT 1 V •» ft , A 1975 graduate. Major John T. Moore. USMC. practices landing the Marine One helicopter to insure safety for President Keagan. While attending MU. Moore was enrolled in the ROTC program. Photo by John Henderson Reagan 19