John L. Haigh Sr. is an ordinary man who had an extraordinary career. As Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) United States Air Force One and Former Chief Steward on Air Force One, he served under three presidents and met numerous celebrities, dignitaries, and heads of state. Haigh visited the Mansfield Richland Public Library (MRPCL) to share his stories and his book on Tuesday evening.
Haigh’s father was a World War I veteran and when he got the itch to travel the world, the United States Air Force seemed the perfect path to follow that dream. In time he volunteered and was accepted into the Special Air Missions Organization at Andrews Air Force Base.
During that appointment he had the opportunity to transport the Apollo 17 astronauts, Secretary of State Kissinger, Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Vice President Ford, Morarji Desai, President Nixon, and Lillian Carter (President Jimmy Carter’s mother), and Vice President Walter Mondale.
“Air Force One” is not a typical aircraft, it serves as a mobile home and office for the president with accommodations for staff members and first class seating for the White House press corps. As such, the role of steward is not typical either. Haigh attended three culinary schools in addition to his military training and the level of service he provided exceeds what most people can imagine. The special nature of that role also afforded him the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most fascinating people.
While transporting the Apollo 17 astronauts, Captain Eugene Cernan and his wife invited the crew to their personal suite on the twenty-fifth floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Waikiki Beach. While standing on the balcony looking at the full moon Cernan said, “You know, when I was a boy, I often wondered what it would be like to walk on the moon. And now that I’ve been there and done that, I know.” Haigh remembers getting goose bumps the moment he said it.
Lillian Carter was selected by her son, President Jimmy Carter, to serve as his official emissary to the funeral of Pope John Paul I. “Ms. Lillian,” as Haigh calls her, was fond of cards, and apparently beat Governor Grasso, Mayor Koch, and several others, taking their money in a well-played game of poker.
Eventually Haigh earned the high honor of becoming a permanent member of the “Air Force One” flight crew in 1979. President Carter made the decision not to campaign during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, and so his wife, Rosalynn campaigned on his behalf. Haigh and the crew spent a lot of time with the First Lady during that period.
“As a result of her efforts, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. The press dubbed her the ‘Steel Magnolia.’ And the old saying is that behind every good man is the woman who supports him–and she did that well,” said Haigh.
Haigh served under President Ronald Reagan for both terms of his presidency. Whether taking the Reagans to the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco, transporting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, traveling to the 40th Anniversary of D-Day, or transporting the “first dogs,” there was never a dull moment during the Reagan years.
Haigh went to great lengths to serve. Mrs. Reagan particularly enjoyed the cobb salad served at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Hollywood, so Haigh contacted the chef who supplied him with the recipe and even a photograph of the finished salad so Haigh could replicate the salad exactly.
At the end of Reagan’s second term Haigh felt compelled to write a poem for the president, which he presented to the president on a handmade plaque on “Air Force One.” Today it hangs in Reagan’s Presidential Library.
Then Haigh served under President George H. W. Bush until his retirement in 1992. Many of Haigh’s memories of President Bush are more personal.
During a flight the president learned that Haigh was a talented horseshoe player, in fact he hadn’t lost in 40 years. Ultimately President Bush invited him to participate in a White House tournament, followed by a game with the president, which Haigh won.
The Bush family showed great kindness to Haigh on two occasions. First when he lost his wife to cancer the president sent a heartfelt note. Then, when Haigh retired they threw him a farewell party on “Air Force One” complete with champagne. Haigh declined the champagne since he was on duty, but the president as commander-in-chief, gave him permission to join the toast.
Haigh ended his talk with some simple wisdom.
“The three presidents I was privileged to serve were ordinary people like you and I, who did extraordinary things to be elected. Whether you agree with them politically or not, they were nice people, it made my job easy. My father taught me as a young man that you can do anything you want in this life, you can become anything you want to become in this great country and be successful if you remember one thing: Do not hurt anyone in the process. And as the cover of my book says, it truly was an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to serve the first families aboard Air Force One,” said Haigh.
“My father taught me as a young man that you can do anything you want in this life, you can become anything you want to become in this great country and be successful if you remember one thing: Do not hurt anyone in the process.” said John L. Haigh Sr.
