Our All-American Valentine, President Ford

Happy Valentine’s Day! For Valentine’s Day 1976, President Ford traveled to sunny Florida as part of his 1976 presidential campaign.

The President was greeted by a scene both patriotic and festive as Air Force One landed at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida, on February 13. Supporters and campaign volunteers gathered to meet the president. Even Uncle Sam – on stilts! – gave the President a handshake.

_{^{President Ford greets bagpipe players and a man wearing stilts in an Uncle Sam costume during a campaign trip to Florida on February 13, 1976.
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Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library}}

In the Valentine’s Day spirit, a group of local Girl Scouts was there to greet the President as well, carrying a heart-shaped “To Our All-American Valentine” banner.

_{^{On February 13, 1976, President Ford is greeted during a campaign trip to Florida by Girl Scouts with a large heart declaring: “To our All-American President.”
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Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library}}

At the McCoy Air Force Base Officer’s Club, Ford gave a speech voicing his appreciation of the campaign volunteers’ hard work “knocking on doors” and “talking to people.” He emphasized, “No campaign can be successful without good, enthusiastic, talented volunteers — and lots of them.”

The President also spoke of Florida itself, saying he was “impressed with the friendliness of your people, and with the beauty and vitality of your State.”

_{^{President’s Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies, Box 23, “2/13/76 – Remarks at Meeting with PFC Volunteers in Florida in Preparation for the Florida Primary.”
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Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library}}

Author: Lauren White