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Tell us your tales of winter woes or wonder COLD COMING

October 16, 2008 12:22 am

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.

"My brother, a senior in high school, got to go up in the helicopter and show them where Horn's restaurant was so they could go there for lunch," she said. "We all got tours of the presidential helicopter. I sat in the seat they said was Jackie's favorite."

Prewitt said her father didn't let any of the neighbors know what happened until the copter left.

"He didn't want car traffic messing up his fields!" she said.

Prewitt recalled that the helicopter crew asked for a Thermos at one point to take back to those guarding the copter out in the cold.

"We didn't have one, so when the men got back to their base, they sent us a Thermos and a picture of their unit," she said. "We never had a more exciting snowstorm."

Inspired by her tale, share one of your own.

Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com