Jeff Clark • Author & Veteran

HILLARY: AGAIN, AND AGAIN I’m going to recount the first time I ever met Hillary Clinton. It was on Marine One, helicoptering to Camp David for a weekend, with the First Family. I was brand new to the Military Aide position and this was my first trip to Camp David. It was a Saturday morning and I was a little trepidatious, to say the least. Of course, I’d heard all about Hillary from my predecessor. In my few weeks of “in briefings” before I assume this volatile position, her name came up frequently. He’d warned me about her temperament and her propensity to go off on any and all staffers, including her husband. In fact, during my “in briefings” he told me that I could upset Bill Clinton, and he’d brush it off. But if I were to piss Hillary off, she’d rip my heart out. Now, I’m a fairly intelligent guy so I registered it. Don’t piss her off.🤣 On this particular morning, and every other time on a presidential trip, I’d always boarded Marine One last, letting the First Family board first along with the doctor and Secret Service agents. I always used the rear steps, with “the football.” My seat on the helicopter was always immediately adjacent to the president and “First Lady.” On this particular day, Chelsea was also coming. I sat in my assigned seat, set the “football” down and approached Hillary. “Hi ma’am, I’m Major Buzz Patterson. I’m the new Air Force Aide. Wonderful to meet you.” I also introduced myself to Chelsea and sat back down. Hillary was curt and quiet. She nodded without saying a word. Chelsea was rude and looked at me like I had 3 heads. The disdain for the military among these two was palpable. My predecessor was right, “Well, that was awkward,” I thought to myself. It never got “not awkward.” 🤣🤣🤣