When Harry Met Pablo by Matthew Algeo

Author:Matthew Algeo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Published: 2024-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

* The Trumans’ lives after the White House are well described in Hamby, Man of the People, and McCullough, Truman. Truman himself wrote about his postpresidential life in Mr. Citizen.

* Dwight Eisenhower would sign the first presidential pension act into law on August 25, 1958. It provided former presidents with an annual pension of $25,000, as well as $50,000 for office expenses and free postage.

10

“COME ON UP”

SHORTLY BEFORE LEAVING INDEPENDENCE for the cruise on the Independence, Harry Truman received an unexpected invitation from his successor, Dwight Eisenhower. Truman and Eisenhower had had a falling out over the 1952 election, when Republicans accused Truman, who campaigned vigorously for the Democratic nominee, Adlai Stevenson, of being “soft on communism.” Truman was especially incensed by Eisenhower’s refusal to disavow Joseph McCarthy, who said the Truman administration was “almost completely morally degenerate.” Ever pugnacious, Truman responded by calling Eisenhower a “five star front man” who “doesn’t know any more about politics than a pig knows about Sunday.” It was rancorous stuff, and the thirty-third and thirty-fourth presidents, once friendly, became antagonists. Shortly after his inauguration, Eisenhower wrote Truman to thank him for allowing Eisenhower’s son John, an army officer stationed in Korea, to attend the ceremony. After that, the two men ceased communication.

So it must have come as a surprise to Harry when he went through his mail at home one day and found this letter from Ike dated May 20, 1958:

Dear President Truman:

I am in the midst of making arrangements for the official ceremonies this coming May thirtieth at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the Unknowns of World War II and the Korean Conflict. It occurred to me that because, though in different capacities, we both bore heavy responsibilities during critical periods of those conflicts, it would be only fitting and proper for us, together, to attend these solemn ceremonies. I should feel honored by your participation.

If this suggestion appeals to you—and I greatly hope that it will—I suggest that Mrs. Truman and you join Mrs. Eisenhower and me for a one-thirty luncheon at the White House before the four of us travel together to Arlington for the ceremonies.

If your plans permit your coming, we can consult later on how best to handle any necessary public announcement.

With good wishes,

Sincerely,

Dwight D. Eisenhower

The invitation was a bit last minute, and Truman certainly wasn’t going to postpone his European vacation to have lunch with Eisenhower, however solemn the occasion. Still, it was a magnanimous gesture and Truman replied with a telegram that was brief but gracious:

YOUR LETTER AND INVITATION TO ATTEND THE MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY WERE HIGHLY APPRECIATED AND I REGRET VERY MUCH THAT MRS TRUMAN AND I CANNOT BE THERE. UNFORTUNATELY WE WILL BE OUT OF THE COUNTRY AT THAT TIME.

HARRY S TRUMAN

Truman and Eisenhower began a protracted reconciliation the following year, when they met and shook hands at the funeral for former secretary of state George Marshall in Virginia.

Bess Truman didn’t like to fly, so she and Harry were taking

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