From the S&S archives: Weathering the wait at the rope

WIESBADEN — Vera Arbuckle and Kaye B. McAvoy are among those who weathered a four-hour wait and a crush of other Americans just as eager to see and photograph their president during his visit here Saturday morning. .

Arbuckle, whose husband is assigned to Co C, 1st Bn, 70th Armor here, said she was one of the first to set up camp at the restraining rope at 5:45 a.m. "I have to get some pictures for my 84-year-old grandmother who is a real Carter fan," said Arbuckle, of Jal, N.M.

Arbuckle said her husband, a member of the massed troops, had given her a crash course the night before in how to operate a 35mm camera.

She and her 17-year-old daughter had brought two card table chairs which they said helped make their wait more comfortable.

Nearby on a blanket sat McAvoy, whose vigil had been just as long.

She was busily crocheting something pink and fuzzy which "may turn out to be a baby sweater." McAvoy, whose husband is assigned to Hq and Hq Co, 1st Bn, 70th Armor here, took the long wait in good spirits. "If I finish the sweater, I'll start on some booties," the Dumas, Texas, native said. Next to her lay the family movie camera.

As the time neared for Carter's appearance, the crowd became an obstacle course of baby strollers, dogs, small children, picnic coolers and chairs.

Cameras of all levels of sophistication snapped almost in unison as the news rippled through the excited Americans: "There he is; I see him! Hey, there's Amy!"

The crowd was so dense that many people gave up trying to line up that perfect snapshot for the family album and held their cameras at arms' length above their heads, clicking blindly.

GI ingenuity triumphantly met the challenge of getting photos. People stood on chairs, bicycles, helmets — and even each other — to get a better view.

It was a large crowd, but generally a courteous one. In assembly-line fashion, cameras were passed to those in good vantage points who willingly took pictures for all. "Can you see OK?" and "Do you want here to get a picture?" were common questions.

But crowds will be crowds. In their eagerness to glimpse their commander-in-chief, people began pushing forward. That's how Arbuckle got her unexpected souvenirs — rope burns on her forearms.

But, with a little luck, she also got some pictures.