Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Samantha Hayes ReportingThirty years ago President Ford visited the Columbus Community Center in Utah. Only two people who were there for the visit are alive now; today they shared those memories with Eyewitness News.
The Columbus Community Center has been serving people with disabilities since 1968 and President Ford's visit continues to hold a place in the hearts of those who witnessed this special visit. One of them was a participant, and son of one of the founders.
Ronald Adams, Participant: "Well, he came in and told me, 'I'm President Ford, how are you doing today?' I told him, ‘Just fine, just doing fine.'"
The other, an intern, is now the Director of Community Development
Arden Lubeck, Director of Community Development: "It was a big event in my life and in the lives of all the participants of the program."
Lubeck says the Presidential visit started with a letter written by a participant in the program.
Arden Lubeck, Director of Community Development: "It was a classroom kind of project and the letter ended up going to the white house."
And although they may have been nervous at the time, President Ford's down to earth personality put them at ease, and as memorial services for the President conclude, their personal experience with him is now a very special memory.
Arden Lubeck, Director of Community Development: "It was a great experience and it will always be part of my, my memory."
The Columbus Community Center located in Salt Lake City provides vocational skills for people with disabilities giving them employment opportunities at local businesses.
