Posted on 05/25/2012 2:22:31 PM PDT by huldah1776
BEDFORD - A man in golf gear stood near a nondescript SUV at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort golf course Thursday.
Holstered to his khakis was an automatic handgun; in his ear was a radio receiver.
He was a Secret Service agent sent to guard George W. Bush as the former president took in a round of golf at the Bedford County resort.
The country's 43rd president took a private jet Thursday morning from Texas to the Bedford County Airport, where agents escorted him for an afternoon golf foursome.
"It's a beautiful part of the state," Bush said to a group of neighbors as he and three companions took turns swinging near Sweet Root Road.
Bush, an avid golfer, doffed his cap after a long drive down the fairway.
"How're you doing?" he asked each time a neighboring family turned out for a glimpse.
"We miss you," one neighbor shouted.
"I heard he was on his way to play a round of golf," said neighbor Wendy Logue, whose husband notified her of Bush's presence after a friend texted a photo with the ex-president. "I've been hanging around here all day."
Others welcomed him to the area. It was the former president's first visit to the resort, according to staff there.
Bush was watched by several resort security guards and at least two Secret Service agents, one of whom observed from across the street in a constantly running sedan.
The agents supervise every detail of an ex-presidential visit, leaving little information available about the nature or length of Bush's stay, resort staff said.
"We didn't know he was coming until yesterday," said Adrian Gonzalez, the resort's operations director. "They keep everything secret."
Gonzalez said he isn't sure whether Bush's family was present or whether he'd be staying the night.
He said the former president had planned to visit last year but canceled the day he was scheduled to arrive due to bad weather.
On Thursday, Gonzalez said, some resort guests took advantage of the sunshine to pose in photos with Bush.
"He's walking around, taking pictures," he said, noting that resort officers had already received word of guests "tagging" Facebook photos with the president.
Bush isn't the first U.S. president to visit Bedford Springs: James Polk stayed there in 1848, and nine more - including seven sitting presidents - have stopped by since, according to the resort's website.
Mirror Staff Writer Ryan Brown is at 946-7457.
(Don't like to see him referred to as "Ex-President" Bush)
Silly me, from my severe parochial perspective, I thought they were talking about Bedford, TEXAS.
It’s ‘FORMER’ President, not EX president.
I can’t wait til November to call Obama EX PRESIDENT.
Boy do I miss that man and his wife that loves America.
Been there a number of times. I am from Bedford, well actually, about 10 miles west of Bedford. The Bedford Springs has quite a history. I remember when 300 sailors were stationed there during the 2nd world war. and then they were moved out and a bunch of Japanese ambassadors and their families were brought in. We use to drive out there and “oogle” their pretty women, which as I recall were French beauties.Being a teen ager it seemed to be the thing to do. Bedford didn’t have much to offer in the line of excitement. My brother still lives in Bedford. Very nicw place.
nicw=nice
Bedford always had a tough HS wrestling program; one of the best in PA. A lot of them ended up going to PSU on scholarships...
have family in that area and nephew wife works there in the Corporate office, wondering if she met him...she is a former beautiful stewardess married to my handsome pilot nephew.
I live down the road a bit...Somerset County...
I was going to post the title as President Bush but thought I had to quote the article exactly. It is western PA, you know.
I was born and raised in Indiana County and wrestled against them in HS, then drove through that area regularly for four years on my way to and from Gettysburg College. I love Old Bedford Village, and recommend it highly to people visiting PA for the first time.
It is lovely, have you been to the site of Flight #93 yet?? several weeks ago my Confluence Lion hubby helped to plant trees there...
I have a wonderful adult son in York, PA. soon to relocate to Winston Salem NC.so excited for him...
Actually I made it out to the scene of Flight #93 in 2003 when the site was little more than a bench, a length of chain link fence and a growing number of private memorials. Very somber....but a quick trip over to Quecreek elevates the spirit.
I’m probably a lot older than you but two that were very good wrestlers when I went to Bedford that finished well in the state were Bruce Hocker and John Heacock.
Two or three summers ago my grandson worked the entire summer college vacation at Flight 93 project. He attends college and works summers running heavy equipment for Kinsley Construction Company. Kinsley had the preliminary ground work. He said you could not believe the number of visitors that came to the site during the time they were working there. He was envited to the detication but couldn’t make it because of prior commitments. He was proud to have been a part of the project.
I do large carvings and I use to do the October Fest in Bedford. My carvings were shown in the Bedford County Art Museum. I enjoyed going back to Bedford for the show. I may do more in the future.
if so have you heard about the Addison PA. Lions Chain Saw Carving in June???
will have to make a stop at that museum..
Have posters have a wonderful Memorial Day Holiday week end and work toward the removal of Bhusseino come Nov. 6th...
No, my carvings are primarily chiesel and mallet. Never tried chain saw carving but admire those guys. They usually stand out there with a lot of people watching them and don’t get much of a chance to start over if they make a boo boo.
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