Flight of Three Presidents

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A scholar in the party concluded that there indeed was "a community of former Presidents." Proud and independent men, they could not normally treat one another as close friends. But under these extraordinary conditions they could share their special burdens and experiences in a way appreciated only by the small club. Why, one observer asked himself, should they not meet every month or two with .Reagan and just talk the night away? What benefit to each other, and perhaps to the nation as well? But when the flight ended, they would once again be forced to be wary of each other. A shame.

Ford talked Michigan politics with Broomfield. Nixon toured the world horizon with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Percy. They covered NATO (more defense needed) and Japan (the same) and the Palestinian issue (it lies at the heart of any Middle East peace). Nixon suddenly grabbed Percy's hand. "Chuck Percy has stood by the Presidents in foreign policy," he said, forgetting old differences. Ford seconded the tribute. Kissinger felt good. The Presidents were all saying the right things, he thought.

A ripple of concern was felt about security. One man admitted that for the first time in his political life, his family had not wanted him to go on such a mission. All three Presidents had bulletproof vests. Some other dignitaries did not. (On the day of the funeral, Percy climbed into a limousine with Nixon, Ford and Kissinger and noted that the three were sitting like penguins. "My, but you look erect," said the unsuspecting Percy. "Where's your flak vest?" he was asked. It suddenly dawned on him that between him and any bullet were only two layers of Brooks Bros.' best tailoring. "Let me sit behind you," Percy said wryly.)

SAM 26000 dropped out of the sky at Torrejdn Airbase near Madrid to refuel. As night vanished and Egypt with its sorrow appeared, some of the magic of the assembly was dispelled. At a dinner for the American delegation in Cairo's El Salam Hotel, the three Presidents seemed to revert to form in their toasts. Carter talked of his personal relationship with Sadat. Ford spoke straightforwardly as a representative of the American people. Nixon gave one of his oblique rambling tributes to the banquet waiters and servants, those not famous or "infamous." Protocol had seated Kissinger next to 14-year-old Sam Brown. With a mixture of humor and wounded pride, the former Secretary of State remarked that he had not really traveled 13,000 miles to talk to,a kid, delightful as he might be. Kissinger was discreetly reseated.

At the funeral ceremonies the three Presidents had to share the sun with other luminaries. Linowitz, trying to avoid being pushed into the ribs of a President, stepped onto the royal shoes of Britain's Prince Charles. He marveled at what a boy from Trenton, N.J., was doing there.