Former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill At Book Passage

Above, former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill today at Book Passage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been an interesting day.

I am now back at the Los Banos KOA after having left the Bay Area immediately following the presentations by former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill and his co-author, Lisa McCubbin on their new book, Five Presidents.

I managed to get a reserved seat in the front row in the event room of Book Passage in Corte Madera. I picked up autographed copies of their book for my daughter Amber and for my "honorary sister" Diane.

It was a good thing I pre-ordered my personalized autographed copy as the line for their signatures was a long one. Hill drew a large crowd. I had to leave as I was expecting a three and a half hour drive back to Los Banos. Strangely, I am in the same campsite I was in two nights ago.

Hill and McCubbin grave a great presentation on Hill's experiences with five U.S. presidents, beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower through Gerald R. Ford.

Photo slides and video accompanied their presentation. Now in his 80s, Hill is sharp as a tack and McCubbin said that he's the most intelligent man she knows.

Hill was the secret service agent who reached the Kennedy limousine in Dallas during the assassination. He described in vivid detail what happened. I shot a video of this part of his presentation and it is uploaded at YouTube. You can see it below:




Along with the JFK assassination, Hill talked about working for Lyndon Johnson, Viet Nam, Nixon (particularly the visit by Elvis Presley to the White House), Watergate and the Nixon resignation. He also talked about attending the Robert Kennedy funeral and burial with President Johnson (after the RFK assassination, presidential candidates began being given secret service protection under a law signed by Johnson) .

The presentation by Hill and McCubbin was an enjoyable event and I have to thank the fine folks at Book Passage for their work in putting it all together. It was well worth the nearly 400-mile drive from L.A.

Below, are more photos of today's event:

Above, outside view of Book Passage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the displays of Clint Hill's books. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, other books by Hill and McCubbin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Hill talks about working for President Eisenhower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Hill recounts the JFK assassination. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Hill tells how writing his books was cathartic for him. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Robert Kennedy assassination portion of the discussion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Elvis visits Nixon is recounted. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a large crowd in line for autographs by Hill and McCubbin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.