Buzz Patterson
@BuzzPatterson
Tonight’s episode of “Buzz’s Bedtime Stories:”
In the summer of 1997, Bill Clinton visited Denmark. We landed on AF-1 in Copenhagen, boarded Marine One for a night time tour of the coast en route to Kronborg Castle, for Shakespeare the “home of Hamlet.” We landed at around midnight and were welcomed with open arms by the queen and her staff. Beautiful, historic castle. I was put up in the Scottish Military suite. Beautiful room with a fully appointed spread of meats, cheeses, breads, fruit, and a full bar. All served, of course, with fine china and crystal. I made sure POTUS was down for the evening and went to bed.
The next morning, the queen had a breakfast spread for Clinton and the staff. Again, first class. As we headed to the motorcade to leave for an event and the flight home, I was pulled aside by the Danish military aide. “Buzz, we have a problem. Your staff stole the china and crystal from their rooms. And took other things as well.”
I was stunned and chagrined. I apologized profusely and told him I’d handle it. I talked with the White House chief of staff and told him what had happened. He shrugged his shoulders. No apology. Nobody held accountable. No repayment. Just another day in the Clinton White House.