Columbiana recorder recalls thrill of meeting Bush

His wife told the White House she and their son wanted to be there too.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- The message Columbiana County Recorder Jeff Hochadel received from his wife a few days ago was the type most people will never get. He was to call the White House.
President Bush's staff wanted Hochadel to represent Columbiana County as one of about half a dozen people to meet Air Force One and the president when they touched down at the Youngstown air base Tuesday.
The invitation was for Hochadel, a Republican, was offered through Hochadel's friendship with Dave Johnson, former county Republican chairman and now an Ohio director of the Bush re-election effort.
Hochadel laughed this morning when he said that his wife, Wendy, told the White House that she wanted to come, too, and bring their son, Mason. Tuesday was his 11th birthday.
Hochadel said that standing on the airstrip and seeing a gleaming Air Force One gliding out of the sky was breathtaking.
"It was absolutely spotless and shiny. That caught your attention," he said.
When Bush emerged and met the greeters, Hochadel said he told Bush that they would both be on the county ticket this fall, which brought a chuckle from Bush.
"He's no different than you or I; he just happens to be the most powerful man in the world," Hochadel said.
He fished into his pocket this morning and showed a Hochadel campaign magnet that Bush autographed.
Hochadel already has encased the memento in plastic.
Mason, who had to wait with his mother about 75 feet away, liked glimpsing the president, but his favorite moments were watching Air Force One land and seeing all the Secret Service and military types, Hochadel said.