Donald Rumsfeld and Ronald Reagan's Ranch

I was lucky enough to photograph Donald Rumsfeld for the Young America’s Foundation over the weekend!  I really enjoyed it!

Rumsfeld was very friendly guy and a great communicator.   I can’t even begin to imagine all of the experiences he has had.  Rumsfeld was the youngest Secretary of Defense (1975-1977 for President Gerald Ford) and then again, as the oldest U.S. Secretary of Defense (2001-2006 for President George W. Bush).  And then, so people wouldn’t think he was a slacker, he was the CEO of two different companies in between (and Chairman of the board of a third).  One company (G.D. Searle & Company) is a pharmaceuticals company known for releasing Metamucil, Celebrex, Dramamine, Ambien, NutraSweet and Enovid, the first commercial oral contraceptive.  The other two companies (General Instrament and Gilead Sciences) were involved in the advent of HD television and drugs for fighting HIV…not too shabby!One of the guests attending Rumsfeld’s speech was former Attorney General Ed Meese.  He started working with Ronald Reagan in the 1960’s and became the Attonrey General during Reagan’s Presidency (1985-1988).

Another speaker over the weekend was Bay Buchanan, who at age 32 was the youngest Treasurer of the United States (1981-1983). I’ve been lucky enough to photograph a few times at Rancho del Cielo, Reagan’s Ranch, but this was the first time to go off-roading in jeeps!It’s a little difficult to see in this image, but it was a neat scene with the blue skies, green rolling hills, 3 white horses and one lone deer!Senator Thad Mccotter form Michigan was the guest speaker during lunch at the Ranch. It’s tough to beat the scenery for a lunch picnic at Reagan’s Ranch!!

Great meeting you Mr. Rumsfeld!