The year was 1973, and Charles Lindbergh came to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, appearing there at the Student Union Building. I was a student at Indiana at the time, and a young college radio broadcaster as well, I received a call saying to get to the Student Union building fast. Charles Lindbergh would be there for a special reception.
I got there, and went to the reception room. About 50 people were there and I can't begin to tell you the charisma that Charles Lindbergh possessed. He literally filled the room with his presence. No one could take their eyes off him. I was literally overwhelmed. A man right out of my history book!.
He gave a short speech on protecting the environment to our small group. He didn't want any questions about his 1927 flight but people asked anyway.
He was taller than I expected. He looked about 6 foot 4 or 6-5. But that distinctive voice was the same. I shut my eyes as he spoke, remembering his voice from those old newsreels from the 1920's.
Lindbergh was quite an old man by then and he wasn't going to live much longer, but while I looked at him I couldn't help but think of him as that young hero from 1927. Everyone in the room felt that way. People followed him out as he got into a waiting Rolls Royce, and then it was over.
I would compare his charisma to that of Bobby Kennedy, who I met during the 1968 campaign, and also Muhammad Ali, who I also met in 1968 at his house in Chicago. Lindbergh had just incredible personal power. Thanks for listening.
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I too saw Mr. Lindbergh the same day. He and Mr. Lilly pulled up in front of the Lilly Library and I was standing alone at the bus stop. The were in a Rolls Royce. Both said hi to me and I said hi to them. I really didn't know who they were at the time, but, heard about their visit the next day. It was quite exciting. Not sure of the exact date, but, I would really like to know.
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