TRAVEL TALES: WHAT DO YOU GIVE A PRESIDENT?Byline: Susanne Hopkins Daily News Travel Editor It's just a humble little flag, crudely stitched from rags, but it's one of the highlights of the new ``Tokens & Treasures'' exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs and Museum in Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. . The flag was sewn by a prisoner of war PRISONER OF WAR. One who has been captured while fighting under the banner of some state. He is a prisoner, although never confined in a prison. 2. In modern times, prisoners are treated with more humanity than formerly; the individual captor has now no in Vietnam, who hid it in mosquito netting a loosely-woven gauzelike fabric for making mosquito bars. See also: Mosquito by day and waved it proudly under cover of darkness for his fellow POWs. And when they came home, the red, white and blue flag was presented as a gift to President Richard M. Nixon. Now, it's a part of an exhibit that features about 200 choice gifts sent to a dozen U.S. presidents - from Herbert Hoover to Bill Clinton - by royalty, heads of state and ordinary Americans. The exhibit, culled largely from presidential libraries around the nation, will remain through Nov. 2. Mark A. Hunt, director of the Reagan museum, saw the display last year at the National Archives National Archives, official depository for records of the U.S. federal government, established in 1934 by an act of Congress. Although displeasure concerning the method of keeping national records was voiced in Congress as early as 1810, the United States continued in Washington, D.C. Believing it should be made available to residents of the West Coast, Hunt persuaded National Archives officials and the other presidential libraries to send it West. The collection presents a real opportunity for people here, he said. ``It's the only other place (the collection will be presented), and it's the first exhibit of its kind on the West Coast,'' Hunt said, noting that it is interesting to see ``how many ordinary citizens feel close enough to the president that they'll sit down at their workbench or around the kitchen table and make something for him.'' The exhibit, displayed in two rooms, both amazes and amuses visitors. Most gasp at the lavish platinum and diamond wristwatch sent to first lady Pat Nixon by Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Abdul Aziz is the name of:
 `dē ərā`bēə, sou`–, sô–), officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, kingdom (2005 est. pop. . Other standouts include the mosaic of Reagan, created entirely from various shades of lapis lazuli with diamonds sparkling in his eyes and a brilliant ruby glittering in his tie, presented by the people of Pakistan; and the impressive bronze, silver and gold eagle given to Clinton by the National Wildlife Federation. They chuckle at the ``ordinary folks' '' gifts, such as the wooden peanut-shaped weather vane sent to Jimmy Carter, the hand-tied flies given to Herbert Hoover with a guarantee that they would catch fish, and the sheet-metal razorback hog called a ``guard pig'' by the Montana man who sent it to Clinton. There's also a gold, emerald and ruby-studded tiara sent by the royal family of Morocco to first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and the button vest sent in 1944 to her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The latter was the gift of Inglewood resident Luella Smith, who referred to FDR as ``my dear'' in her note accompanying the vest. There's a painting of Lyndon Baines Johnson as Uncle Sam with the famous ``I Want You'' slogan emblazoned above him, a little wooden zebra toy made for Caroline Kennedy and an embroidered em·broi·der v. em·broi·dered, em·broi·der·ing, em·broi·ders v.tr. 1. To ornament with needlework: embroider a pillow cover. 2. shirt sporting all of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's hobbies, such as golf and fishing. ``It's a fun exhibit,'' said Hunt, adding that it ``reflects the presidents' personalities and certainly the times (in which they served). ... You sort of get a mini history lesson as you go through.'' FDR's display includes a wood carving of a cowboy lassoing Adolf Hitler by Topanga resident Jesse Jones. In Harry S. Truman's case, you'll find a malachite malachite (măl`əkīt), a mineral, the green basic carbonate of copper occurring in crystals of the monoclinic system or (more usually) in masses. It is translucent or opaque; the luster is silky, vitreous, adamantine, or dull. urn filled with soil from the people of Belgium commemorating the Battle of Bastogne during World War II; and on its own wall hangs a huge blue and white quilt adorned with quilted yellow ribbons and embroidered with all the names All the Names (Portuguese: Todos os nomes) is a novel by Portuguese author José Saramago. It was written in 1997 and published in English in 2000 in an award winning translation by Margaret Jull Costa. of the American hostages held in Iran for 444 days in the 1980s. The quilt was created by Patricia Brockman of Ojai, who presented it to Reagan. ``The patriotic theme seems to be really popular for presidents,'' observed Lou Anne Missildine, Hunt's assistant. Flags, therefore, abound. In addition to the POW flag, there's a tattered flag that a Texas man flew until the American hostages were released and then gave to Carter, a violin with an inlaid in·laid v. Past tense and past participle of inlay. adj. 1. Set into a surface in a decorative pattern: a mahogany dresser with an inlaid teak design. 2. flag given to John F. Kennedy "John Kennedy" and "JFK" redirect here. For other uses, see John Kennedy (disambiguation) and JFK (disambiguation). John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963), was the thirty-fifth President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in and a large Navajo rug designed to look like the American flag that was presented to Reagan by the Navajo Tribal Council Navajo Tribal Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. It is comprised of 88 elected members from the 110 chapters (local communities) that make up the Navajo Nation. It is presided over by a Speaker who is elected by the council. . Flags, rugs, jewels and violins. The world has truly been generous to our leaders. Just in case you're wondering what America gives as gifts to foreign dignitaries, ask the docents. These volunteers will tell you it has to be made in America; but Steuben glass and Lenox porcelain are favorite choices. Happenings at Reagan Library The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum is located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week; admission is $4 adults, $2 seniors and free for children under 16. ``Tokens & Treasures'' will be on display through Nov. 2. The library plans two special children's sessions in July and August during which youngsters will create their own gifts for a president of their choice. The library will forward the gifts to the appropriate recipient. Dates have not yet been scheduled. Information: (800) 410-8354. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, Box Photo: (1) The ``Tokens & Treasures'' exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley through Nov. 2 includes this wool flag rug given to Reagan by the Navajo Tribal Council. (2) Visitors to the museum can see Pakistan's gift of a Ronald Reagan mosaic made of lapis lap·is n. 1. Lapis lazuli. 2. A medium to dark blue. [Short for lapis lazuli.] . Michael Owen Baker/Daily News Box: Happenings at Reagan Library (See Text) |
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