Tell us your tales of winter woes or wonder COLD COMING

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Remembering when an ice storm delivered a presidential helicopter to the pasture out back

Date published: 10/16/2008

By Rob Hedelt

I'M COUNTING on one reader's story about a presidential helicopter landing in her family's pasture to prompt others to share memories--good and bad--about winter.

Not everyone has a tale like Camilla Prewitt of Stafford County, who ended up with President Lyndon Johnson's helicopter in her family's field when ice and snow forced it to land.

But I'm sure there are scads of other interesting stories out there.

And with a tough winter projected, what better time to hear unique experiences from winters past?

Jot down your recollections and share them by e-mail, fax or letter, using the information above.

To be used, the submissions must include your full name, where you live (i.e. Stafford County, Bowling Green), your gender and a daytime number where you can be reached.

WHIRLYBIRD DOWN

Prewitt, who now lives in Stafford County, was growing up in the southern Virginia community of Bracey in the spring of 1963. President Lyndon Johnson was flying back to Washington from Florida in a helicopter.

An ice- and snowstorm created engine problems that caused one of the copters--one without the president on board--to land in the pasture near the Prewitt's home.

"I was watching TV when all of a sudden our dogs were barking like crazy," said Prewitt, who was in the seventh grade at the time. "When I looked out, three or four men dressed in fatigues were making their way to our house."

After some initial apprehension, her father figured out what was going on and invited the crew in to use the phone and get warm.

"There were several more men with the copter because it had to be guarded at all times," she said. "They came in shifts and my Mom fed them dinner and breakfast."

Prewitt remembers the men sitting around watching Friday-night fights on television.

"One of the men was from New York state and said we reminded him of home," she said. "You could tell he was young and homesick."

The next day, another helicopter came with replacement parts and a mechanic.

Share your memories of winter--good and bad--by e-mail to rhedelt@freelancestar.com, fax to 540/373-8455 or mail to 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. None taken by phone.

Date published: 10/16/2008