Shaking Hands with Richard Nixon

Thirty-eight years ago today, I shook hands with the only President, or person who would become President, I ever shook hands with: Richard Nixon. I was a volunteer in the Youth for Nixon, and he was having an event in Chicago. They needed some people to help at the event, and I volunteered.

After the event the volunteers had their picture taken with the soon-to-be Republican nominee for President, and we got to shake his hand. I was really nervous, and all I could think to say was thank you. In response, he said, "No, thank you." But it was not what he said. It was how he said it. It was as if he was saying he was the one who should be thanking me for helping him and not the other way around. I will always remember the genuineness of his comment.