Anytime at cspan. Org history. Healthy democracy does not just look like this. It looks like this. Americans can see democracy at work. Citizens are truly over public thrives. Get informed straight from the source on cspan, unfiltered, unbiased, word for word. From the nations capitol to wherever you are you get the opinion that matters the most is your own. This is what democracy looks like. Cspan powered byhe cable. Hello welcome to another episode of white house history live. Is im a Senior Vice President the White House Historical association. The director of the center for white house history. The White House Historical association is a nonprofit Nonpartisan Organization with a mission to educate americans about the rich and diverse history of the white house and the people who live and work there. Our guest this evening is michael cut mike is a retired rear admiral from the navies Civil Engineer corps. He served in a variety of assignments around thehe world d his 29 year military career including commander of camp david. After military retirement in 2010 mike has worked in private industry is now the chief executive officer of the building Information SystemsTechnology Company headquartered in its home town of historic pennsylvania. In october 2017 he published his first book inside camp david the private world of the president ial retreat. Mike traveled often speaking about the book and has been covered by the wall street journal, the today show the smithsonian, npr, cspan many other print radio and television outlets. After our conversation mike will be taking questions from our live audienceue please pay your questions for mike in the chat we will get to as many as possiblean at the end of our program. Welcome to white house history live, mike cooks thank you calling wonderful to be here. Asas most would say its a great honor and privilege to serve our navy and nation. And i appreciate that. Notes are from the beginning youre sort of camp david . Tell us how you were selected as commander of camp david but that process was light . We note as camp david it is that navy command that navies operated and maintained it. He started in 1942 by president roosevelt. Because its principally self maintained 40 are greats, Civil Engineer officers always the Commanding Officer in history. In 1998 i was put on a short list of possible officers to be considered, went to the white house. An executive director of the White House Military Office mrse staff aboutab a week later got e call. Amazing. We talked about your own personal history with camp david. I knew what it was. And interestingly i left to visit that day talking about the next assignment im a man left a really difficult place to work. It will bee weird to work there sunday, put it away and went on for the next fewew tours low and behold in 1998 i was shortlisted to beed interviewed, selected ad reported and in june of 1999. In the end of president clintons second term. A long way there . Just over two years the last year end have president clinton with george w. Bush. Very fortunate timing to two president s and support the family, the administration, that was a world event that occurred there but gain is insights of two different ways of leading our nation. Let us talk a little bit about the history of camp david. They history begins with franklin roosevelt. Tell us why did fdr select the site . What did he like to do when he visited, it was not called camp david at that point in time but all you talk about that. Very good, very good grade thank you. Lets go back to 1942 roosevelt love going out because of the three president ial yachts during his time the photo on the right is it oakland, california today he loves going out on the potomac to secure his hobbies, his interest or talk to World Leaders. But 41, 42 with the eastern coast of the United States. And said sir we cannot got on the yacht anymore. Well find a place you can go to get away from the white house. Of course this is before the Helicopter Squadron existed with got to find someplace to drivabled nearby. Interesting because of the new deal to bring us out of depression put money back into the country and build a lot of the roads and parks. It was a place in claremont, american called the demonstration area also known as camp number three. Roosevelt was given three sites nearby to visit. He went to all three. When he came to camp number three he looked at it and said this is it. And heres the first name this is my shangrila. The roosevelt named shangrila take off on novel lost horizon. At utopian mysterious place in the mountains. He had that whimsical nature apparently. So that was his name. As you have president eisenhower renamed afters grandson camp david. That is how we know it today. Xq describe camp david for a lot of our viewers and listeners whe im sure have never visited camp david in person. And probably will not visit camp david. Can you paint a picture of what the campus light . Sure i will try. And that tonight hilltop parkt is a National Park. It is maintained by the National Park service, great partners ours but 1800 elevation in the spring and summer months. A very lush canopy perfectly manicured yards. A narrow asphaltar road. And the cabins you see here. And all of the cabins have a rough cut oak like sided with the certain shade of green paint. They are cedar shake shingles. This very rustic very fresh. But at night i find it particularly surreal and ominous no life except pathway, no noise except for squirrel in the tree. No lights no noises from below just eerily quiet. That adds to the mystique. This is the cabinet my family and i lived in where the only family to live inside the camp. This is called cedar. How many cabins are in camp david . How big is the site . There are 12 for guest cabin saved after trees present eisenhower found that habit again. When renamed camp david named all of the trees thats the home of the treat in his eyes in her home state 12 for entertainment and about 20 total includes the Fire Department ash. Eucalyptus the popular, all the support facilities the barracks for single sailors and marines et cetera. Lets talk a little bit about camp david. You were the commander. Whats the site of the military staff at camp david . What kind of jobs do they perform . Over 200 sailors and marines. Sigh five civil officers have one chaplin, an officer one supply court to marine officers overseeing Security Company which comes out of washington d. C. All totally but the sailors together is just over 200 staff. We have the White House Communications desk of their its in charge of communications with joint command coming out of the main command in downtown. He tell us a little bit how camp david has changed over the years . It was very rustic when fdr first came to camp david. They have been some notable additions to the complex you mentioned is a n champlin so the is a chapel at camp david. Can you talk a little about the buildings and activities on how that complexes change over time . Are subject fdr to print why the navy has it. Took them with him to camp david. Went there during the non winter months. Treatment notin of a fan of camp david but a perimeter around the place. I had the trees pushed back from a. During eisenhowers time it was winterized. Very rustic and still maintain that. Over the years the use of Family Administration cabin have been added. Expanding putting in the hourglass shape. Was domain entertaining maintained since them its been modernized at times is a challenge the president to modernize the cabins whats going on in the past for five years now. Very sequential smart way. That rustic nature on the outside. It is not a marble and brass for start resort. Not that and its not meant to be. The rustic comfortable place to get away. A place to walk your privacy and recreate on your own or meet with other World Leaders assembly pictures depict. The most unique thing but through private money gifted to the president of the United States to camp david in michigan 1994 through eight chevy bush. Had two president s get to camp david . You talk but fdr within driving distance. President s do not historically drive to camp david a more davie correct . Its not ideally we prefer to bring a man by the marine Helicopter Squadron. Weather permitting they will fly in on hmx one or the white house calls it marine one if implement whether theyll come by motorcade from wherever their departure point is. Camp david as a president ial retreat. Yet we know president s often find themselves working at camp david. Tell us a little bit how it functions as a white house and the maryland mountains . Thank you. I think most people recognize no matter who the president you are always on. There can be a lot of critiques with about what you doing or off duty or how you do your job. But the fact is you are always on duty as president. And you need time off. We all need time off. In addition to a second home some president s have sub do not. Camp david provides the peaceful getaway for family, friends, and if needed for staff and for World Leaders. Find it a great balance of history that president s go there to get away. But most the time with the couples getaway to recreate. Every uses that a little different. To me, as an outsider she is as a personal respite when you find its a great place to bring World Leaders to talk privately. There is no press unless you invite the press in. There is no press there are no lights no protesters no planes flying overhead. Serenely quiet and peaceful is what you want. How people get around camp david . Are there golf carts, bikes, how do people get around . Its golf carts everyone is assigned a golf cart. Both part one. We have to have our nomenclature as well. We give out through the wood. Snowmobiling is the president president ford and his family. Principally golf carts reminder to everyone we are going to be taking questions at the end of our conversation. Your question about camp david, taster, what its like please put in the chat will get as many as possible. Lets talk about the history of camp david and Historic Events taking place with cap david. You talk about setting of these historic occurrences. I will mention four events and then ill focus on the fifth one in particular. We see photos of fdr running Winston Churchill to the mountains and go fishing in the nearby stream. Smoking cigars and probably having a bourbon or true. But the pointed at moments he bottom left of them talking how the u. S. For thats roosevelt and the top left inside aspen that stone hearth fireplace is still there. Theres a wagon wheel chandelier you cannot see that is still there. President truman only went 10 times in his tenure. President s come there, president carter made famous for most people 1978 with egypt of israel. During my time 2000 middle east peace summit and the Prime Minister of israel to try to replicate a similar thing break 2012 president obama hosted conference that camp david. Single time the most World Leaders have been campaigning. April 1961. President kennedy inaugurated in january, succeeding president t eisenhower. Bay of pigs is being planned behind the scenes the cia and u. S. Government and others passed off to thehe administration. See the photo on the top right became a pulitzer prizewinning photo called three steps. What is interesting about this i think from a human and political point is that president kennedy inherited the operation. It was launched, it did not go well. The political personal aisle Vice President eisenhower to come to camp david t. And help him understand how to get through this. How do i fix fix mask . What do i do . Its a poignant significant moment you have the new upstart democrat invited the old guard retired fivestar general. To talk aboutdo what to do. Its a great humble possibly desperate measure very humble way to recognize leadership and recognize what a president typically passes on between administrations and talk about what would be best for the country. Maybe you mentioned this already, it might come some president s and first families visit camp david more frequently than others. Can you talk about the differences how president s and first families use camp david and explain why think that is . A one, i think it depends on children but one of the ages of the president s children . I think that dictates are they going to lead the intramural leagues some have second homes some can do both. Three,e, as some like the quiet nature. Some like president clinton really went to camp david his first term. Some prefer to go somewhere else you see over 80s some years continue to share this one or two of your favorite memoriest from your time at camp david . Are still historic moments most people recognize but the middle east peace summit is work with the state department to welcome president clinton and having a photo shaking his hand. Watching from the sidelines as he spent almost two weeks trying to forge a middle east peace agreement. Watching president bush early in his presidency welcome on a weekend obvious to couples getting to know each other. Much like you do with your neighbors. Its a very poignant thing to watch from the sideline. Even we get to serve there and see things, you have to remember you are in their world for this brief time. You can know personal things about some of the families but you are not of their world. You have to understand to maintain that decorum, that humility. I will tilt two stories that are more personal in nature. I think it helps relate to families and parents the first one is the final cleansing weekend. Four days nonstop hundreds of guests coming through. Dinners, couple musicians performing in the chapel. A wonderful event. And as im walking to the helicopter at 10 00 p. M. That night the snow on thely ground thanking him for leading our country in walking down for my lastnt time to see the 20yeard student turns an enhancement to stuffed animals she says commander, ive had my these in my bedroom in eight years and aspen priest can them to your daughters and think your wife michelle for anything you have done. Just a touching unexpected moment of course. Great keepsakes now for the two girls. That is the first one. And then heres the scene the final time in 2001. The second lies a humorous story about a goldfish. Thats a position youre in as the commander of the camp for the factor responsible for security. Your the chemicals inside the gate. You run errands and official things are in the first week michelle and taken the girls down to the city fair. A common thing to do here at camp david ine the summer. Shes coming back to the gate with the two girls in the backseat that each one als goldfish or there is a goldfish in a plastic bag each were holding strict policy of a the p no animals at camp david, no pets. The marine corps guard who knows us we know all the names they know us, everyone is doing their job. He says you cannot bring pets into theou camp. She looks at him with an incredulous look the girls are hearing this and this tears start to come down ive. She is looking at them they are looking at her she is looking back at him, he is doing his job, mom is doing her job, michelle and into the window and says they are for dinner. And kind of winks. Yes, maam, please proceed. Those little funny at moments like that you realize there are still people l there. We all live with rules and regulations. Sometimes you see the human side. That is our favorite store because moms and dads and thats what sometimes feels like, thank you. The final chapter in your book is called the true meaning of camp david. Can you tell us what is the true meaning . Is it different for every president first family who spends time there . Simply different how you describe. The bushes had bumped toward efpresident bush but he loved going to camp david like his dad. They spent every christmas there. For some at the time for family to have discovered special holidays for during my time the clintons love camp david for thanksgiving. Again, every president does it differently but president Reagan Nancy Reagan loved going there. I did all of his radio addresses on saturday they all do it differently. The meeting comes from. But has a theme of a camp david it was about a place where they could come t together and trust within nature no press unless you wanted it there. The ability to sit down as people, break bread, share a story. Get to know each other. To me thats a true many of camp david the place for the president to get away and relax as best they can. I place to entertain family and guests of World Leaders. Probably one of the most unique places in the world. All within regional distance of the whitetee house. We have some really Great Questions from our live audience. Nancy from facebook asks, i know president reagan and nancy reagan rode horses while they were at camp david. Is there a stable there . What other activities were available besides swimming . The only time we had a stable there or a corral where the kennedy years of the pony the pi was cap there for the children of the kennedys. Otherwise horseback i had one incident where president clinton and chelsea want to go horseback ride that National Park service and d. C. Brought the horses out. We as the back gate to the wilderness with secret service the nearby woods. Horseback riding is possible. There is skeet shooting, trap shooting, mini golf course, a driving range, snowmobiling, crosscountry skiing. Presence went to golfing the goods the nearby golf course. If they would to fish there are nearby fishing poles on private farmland we arrange and taken too. There is a bowling alley, there is a Movie Theater, a game room, there is a library, theres a bar recreation et cetera. David asks have hikers ever found the mountains accidentally approached the perimeter of camp david . It happens and there are some warning signs about a camp in quite a distance from you can drive by the roads in the camp but most people know enough not to go down it. We have a protocols if you do happen to approach the fence or get close there are things you can do to help you get back to your path but again its a nofly zone. So theres no aircraft ever flies over the camp im sure it happens and continues to happen. Didnt fdr did he make a wrong turn when he was driving wants to try to get to shangrila and didnt he come across ao neighbor that was not too happy to see him . Yes, it has happened. He didnt drive is much as we did today youre not always surround by agents. There been this humorous event you knock on the doormo at lady yelled who are you . Again is a poignant moments about everyday life between humans and how we engage each other. Dennis asks, what is the longest a president has stayed there . Wasnt cargo there for a week or more during the middle east peace talks . Yes. There is a time with carter was over a week during, almost two weeks for the peace talks as clinton was there although he went to the summits in japan in the midterm. President carter also with their drink w 1979. He came back and get that malaise which is what they called a talk about the condition of the country, what was going on we had hostages taken in tehran and i run. All this is goings on he supported himself almost two weeks working there during that difficult time in his presidency. But typically president so for a weekend. Quick staff asked a good question. How did eisenhower get naming rights to name cant david date just have someone go out with lumbar and paint and redo the sign . I like the second explanation. I can imagine theres something sign from the shingle law to camp david. What to check the archives togetherer. When a president chooses not to visit camp david very often, how does that change staffing and operations . Quick staffing operations do not change because you were always ready or your mission is always ready to receive it. Some president s had let camp david bees by guests. President carter visited with his whole family during president clintons turn it was the carters a former president visiting but some president s have allowed staff to use it. But if no one is they are youre just maintaining the place o and taking care of it. What think its a morale issue is a gap of five months that is a lot of time not to do your job per se so you have to practice at times. Some weekend some president s are always on becomes a pop tempo. Quickset is the question gaudi had, what happens at camp david when the president as a way . What do you do . We have more time to training. Physical fitness programs, contest if time allows it. Time to send our sailors and marines to school if necessary. You need to always be ready you have to be completely staffed in. Youre sitting, waiting, taking care of the place, watering the flowers, mowing the grass, training, firefighter training is constant. Thirdly because youre always ready you are ready to execute. Thats of the day for the visits. Jeff asks has hollywood or the news media or a documentary for example edible films at camp david . Harriet reeser with abc news interviewed president ford inside the camp. I believe thats the only time theres interview done in that regard at camp david. Certainly, during world events like middle east peace the principals coming in and they are escorted out of the bus. Sports guests, but no root real filming, documentaries done at camp david other than from the archives and any president ial films from the libraries. Peter asks, what is the reason for that no pet rule at camp david . Is self grown and today the people that leave that the ceo is allowed to have independence whats happened in history. Reading the book about the incident with nixons french poodle in the camp commanders dog. Is a humorous time and it changes with the times today we are a little bit more reasonable i would say. Ricks cafe asks you mention the library what kind of books are in the library . And does it depend upon the administration . To the books change depending upon the president or first family . We keep some archives on an open Public Library near the game room. Its more of the history, thats where the White House Christmas card holidays are cap the president said that we bring all those those in the Movie Theater in them library. In the cabin holly which is where carter chose to meet because it was a smaller nature, i likeal that room because that libraries most of the president s papers copies of the president ial pages are published. Some other historical novels about the military services. Thats what i mean when we refer to the two light rayso one for public use with a history of camp david the second the president ial papers. Missy asks, do you have any stories about the johnson years and camp david, lbj . Chapter how page 95 lives in california. Chuck and his family and four kids were there from candy to johnson years. In the book it talks about johnson being particularly persnickety about scalding hot water in the shower. Chuck and the crew worked endlessly to try to make it harder than possible. How to build the air conditioning and all of the Little Things many of us like in her own home. So the transition from kennedy and reacting to the assassination to the change of administration and then it bringing president johnson and his family in. Grant asks, has President Biden visited camp david . He is been there eight times so far. Which is pretty good he leaves at most we canr. If you read the papers recently, he goes to delaware, hes been to camp david eight times as president he was there a number of times as Vice President. Ask tiffany ask has camp david ever been damaged by bad . Weather . Their microburst on thers hil the little eddies of wind that will sometimes knock down trees in the state park. Fortunately nothing serious has had the eerie work camp david is. Marianne asks a good question has there ever been a wedding at camp david . Whats one wedding president negeorge h. W. Bushs daughter ws married there in the chapel. One wedding. And saul from facebook asks whatm was the Biggest Surprise you ever had while working at camp david . The day the sprinklers went off in a president clinton was chipping golf balls behind aspen for the spike was one of a did not witnesses but the secret service were watching nearby. They move toea different part te sprinklers went off again. Hed threw his clothes into the golf cart went out the driving range, the bag was not secure all the clubs fell over. It is humorous but you can understand the frustration of someone dealing with that. I tried to make light of that night when he o left camp david about finding the waterhole. Was a poor attempt at humor you learn a balance of when to be serious, not too serious but when not to be humorous i learned to try to not be too humorous that was the funniest time fortunately i had no serious incidents during my time for their top things going on in the world. I had left the month before 911 occurred. We spent a lot of time describing with that commander went through at that time. Light moments during my time fortunately. Charlene asks how much heads up to get to know when a president is coming . Whatn depends on the president. Change of command day 10 00 a. M. Typical navy0 ceremony at 10 00 a. M. My predecessor knew when he wasnt scheduled to come at all. 10 00 a. M. Ceremony that morning before the ceremony we get word the president is coming thats night. So a fascinating factor to realize you prepare the camp and know nothing really about what goes on. You have had briefings to the net co your brother karl its brandnew. I found that to be a very fortunate event for me. Because it taught me just to sig back, let people do their jobs all i have to do is get dressed up, walked other, introduce myself to shake hands and thats all i did that first day. But i learned a lot about my crew. I helped set the humility, let people dole their job. Train them, have their back, support them. Let them do their job. That was no notice for the Bush Administration very scripted we always knew well ahead of time. Again it depends on the person. Jane asks a good question because they Vice President and his or her family go there as well . If the president allows them to. It has happened in history but not a whole lot but occasionally. As i said earlier sometimes the president will let staff or others go away for leadership retreats for at present obama did that a lot for his staff members. The commander at the time in the chaplin would give a brief history and welcome people to do with they are there to do a go back on the sunday. Carolyn asked if you notice how did the pandemic effect camp david or the new procedures in place . E . A very observant of the mask rules early on. Various observant of the vaccinations. Again this is telling of the Trump Administration the beginning of the biden ministration everyone is very observant of following the rules either by the white house by the president or the navy Health Protection commission. Very appropriate response. I dont think it has held back maybe held back from outside guests. Certainly no World Leaders have been there in five years. But i think that will open up i hope that will open up. Bills as i think you know the answer to this question but ill ask it anyway. Is camp david ever open to tours . Can the average american ever go to camp david . You are spot on it is not open. That advertises weekend tours of the capitol do not believe that that is not trooper the only way to get to camp if crewmembers can haveam guests on nonpresident ial visit weekend. Either know someone who works there if allowed or know the president be invited as his or her guest. Jane. Asks what is the food like at camp david . A good question. For our self we run a galley operation and thats available and that available toguests if. The bar has bar food available. But for visits, we work with the first was the social secretary of the first lady to work the menu. We have a welltrained culinary specialist who sometimes work at the president s chef are the white house and navy mess to prepare the meals. For World Leaders we sometimes work with the state department. Especially for kosher meals during the arafat visit, kosher meals were brought up in d. C. To provide meals for all guests. Since we accommodate the desk but day today we have a galley that serves the crew that works there. Jackies watch that youtube asks what is something that every american should know about camp david . Once he gets a jeopardy question. It is a navy command, just like a marine one as a marine cant command an air force et cetera. It was first established in 1942. Missy asks what is the highest rank of the settlement from the marine or the navy at camp david . U. S. Navy commander. Sometimes that officer might be selected for captain is he or cr she is departing the camp. The senior marine is the marine corps captain. And for the White House Communication Agency detail that is there maybe Lieutenant Colonel typically of the u. S. Army. The last question this evening, several viewers have asked this. Why did you decide to write the book on camp david . What are things are fascinating that you learned we write this book . Think of that wonderful final question the day of change of command is a photo of my wife and two daughters the ages of seven and four of my wife michelle but she has been this journal. As he scrolled out from the two wogirls say dear daddy something our kids what whereabouts humorous. I never wouldve thought of it. And so after every visit weekend or event i would sit down and write down whatdo happened. I did that to the Clinton Administration with the end of it i did have this inauguration into the first eight months. I put that away inha my rolltop desk and never opened in 17 years. D never thought i could write a book. There was a reunion weekend during one of the previous commanders a lot of the former training officers were there. We are all meeting each other some for the first time some had known each other for years. Many of them were talking about trying to catch some of the history. I learned later many had written their own stories. And so i first realized i could write the book will the head of security wasas done it was possible. I knew i was not going to write anything that was unattractive to any president. And i knew i could weave in 15 stories of other Commanding Officers and get the history. Now we can bring the history of the camps a lot of the camp together. Others can tell their story. You can see their story in their name in the book. You see photos under photos. And use it that way to become a historical narrative of some the personal insights. I think it was well received that way. Esome people wanted dirt. Some people want to stories that was not the purpose. It was to show respect and to tell the stories, a little bit on the inside how the military supports around the world 24 7. Thank you so much for joining us on white house history live but this is been a really comprehensive conversation about camp david. Thank you to all of our viewers for watching. Weekend on cspan2 are an intellectual feast for it every saturday American History tv documents america story. On sunday book brings you the latest in nonfiction books and authors. Funding for cspan2 companies salvage incumbents including more including comcast appeared quick so you think in the this is just a Community Center its way more than that. 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