Letters of Encouragement

From an ex-navy seal who worked for me to some of our mutual friends -- many of whom also worked for me in Algeria protecting our oil facilities and personnel during the fundamentalist war of the late 90's..  I did my frog time in Korea, before the group converted to the awesome special forces group they are today.  Steve ended up as a master chief before he retired.


To All,

Background, as I was nearing the end of my Military Career I had the fortune to meet Mr. Gerald Blaine on one of my stops through Dallas. From our initial meeting I was able to later hire on with ARCO at their oil facility in the Sahara Desert of Algeria. Jerry as we know him was a great leader and wonderful mentor. Our connection was that we had both served as Navy Frogmen, Jerry also served our country as a Secret Service Agent starting with Ike and was on the 'Kennedy Detail' before heading off to the corporate world.

I still consider him as one of the finest Gents I've had the pleasure knowing.

We recently reunited by phone, and he told me about this book he recently authored, 'The Kennedy Detail' not only is the book out and doing quite well, but Hollywood is knocking at the door.

I've ordered my copies today at the web site listed below.

Several on this email list also worked for Jerry and some have served as Secret Service, I did cc Jerry on this in case any of you wish to reply to him directly.

Please pass along to anyone I may of missed who might be interested.

Hooyah Jerry!

Steve  

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Frog,

You are fortunate to know Agent Blaine.  I know you will enjoy his book.  It is well written and helps in understanding what happened that day in Texas.  It tells in great detail the story of a group of men who did their jobs.  Those men did not fail, but evil took the upper hand that day.  It may be the only day of my life that I remember so clearly.  Agent Blaine brought it all back to me in a way that I could understand.   Pat got me the book a couple of years ago for Christmas.  It is one of those books that you can't put down. I was in college and working for a newspaper when President Kennedy was killed.  Like all of us who are old enough to remember, I remember exactly where I was.  I was at work and in the "teletype" room when bells went off like I'd never heard before.  One line, "President Kennedy is dead."  



Agent Blaine,

If I might be so bold I want to thank you for your service and for writing the book.  It took me back to a time of fear, disbelief, anger, but most of all sadness and tears.  I can only imagine how you must have suffered.  You brought back a moment in American history  that was very confusing and enabled me to finally understand what happened and to accept what it meant for me and for America..    When I finished the book I really wanted to thank you and to shake your hand. Thanks to Steve, at least now I can thank you.  God bless you.  I join Steve in recommending that every American read your book.

Chuck Moore 

Secret Service Firing Range Accessed Through the Tunnel to the Treasury building

SAMUEL W. WARD

These photos are copyrighted and the property of Wendy Ward Eaton.  May not be used without permission.

Samuel W. Ward - Secret Service Firing Range

I received this wonderful letter from the daughter of Samuel W. Ward who ran the Secret Service firing range.

Dear Mr. Blaine,

My name is Wendy Ward Eaton and I am compelled to write to you as I read your book, The Kennedy Detail.  I have barely been able to put it down since I started it!  It brings back so many memories of my childhood and days spent in Washington, DC.

My father, Samuel W. Ward, Chief Gunner's Mate, was in the Coast Guard and we were stationed in Washington from 1956-1959.  He worked in the "pistol range" in the basement of the treasury building.  I have fond memories of visiting him at work and was always comfortable being around the firearms and ammunition.  When friends would ask me what my Dad did, I would tell them "he teaches secret service agents how to shoot"!  I have quite a few pictures of him in the range, and have attached one for you to see ( he is sitting in the picture).  There is no identification as to who the other man is.  I have also attached a newspaper clipping that I have.  I do know that he loved his job there and was very well respected.  I have an autograph book that he kept during that time which has signatures from people who visited or who came for training from all over the world!

Dad passed away in 1982, so I cherish all of those wonderful memories that I have of him.  I would be very anxious to hear if you have any recollection or memory of him, or would know of anyone else who would.

Congratulations to you on the success of your book and I will look forward to the movie coming out this year based on your book.

You can bet I'll be in the front row!

Kind regards,

Wendy Ward Eaton
Stewartstown, PA   17363

These photos are copyrighted and the property of Wendy Ward Eaton.  May not be used without  permission.

Photo Gallery: President John F. Kennedy meets with Ambassador to the United States from India, Braj Kumar Nehru

President John F. Kennedy meets with Ambassador to the United States from India, Braj Kumar Nehru, in the Oval Office, White House, Washington, D.C.  White House Secret Service Agent, Gerald “Jerry” Blaine, stands in background at right.

Guest Post: Five stars, absolutely. And here is why! by Frank Badalson

 I began my research (1980) into the Assassination after the HSCA released its’ findings around 1979 I think it was.  My Assassination library is extensive.  By 1980 I had been in Law Enforcement 4 years.  I had an understanding of how investigations come together, how the physical evidence relates to the case, what is needed to complete an investigation and most of all the ability to separate true needed facts from what is interesting, but not really relevant (the last 7 words of the previous sentence resound through many books and theories perpetrated by dozens as “investigation” into the Assassination). Little did I know then that my research (which included a visit in 1994 to Dealey Plaza, The Book Depository, Oak Cliff, North Beckley St, 10th & Patton and The Texas Theater) would continue, albeit at different levels,  for the next 33 years.

Reading and research. Patience and time.   I quickly found most  written works focused on  “what is interesting, but not really relevant”.  The……what…… maybe a dozen or so different theories of what happened, who was involved, i.e.  bums from a train car, sniper in the sewer, grassy knoll fence, overpass, Dal-Tex Bldg.,  Mafia, Agent Greer, Agent Hickey…etc.  It seemed absolutely ridiculous that anyone could  lend credibility to all these many “theories”.

Think about it……doesn't it seem profoundly ridiculous that every one of these dozen or so final analyses conducted by intelligent people (Note: most had no skill in legal investigations) have a different final word on what happened. 

There is but only one conclusion that is fact based if you do your own thorough, unbiased research.  Researching this case will not be easy, it cannot be done in a few days. There is much material to sift through, much of it is interesting, but not really relevant.  You must have the ability  to determine what is needed in an investigation of this nature.  Lacking that ability can easily take one off  into an interesting, but not really relevant vein. There are many “veins” in this case. There is but one fact based conclusion to this homicide investigation. The Dallas Police apprehended the right person.

During the course of my investigation/research the one thing that soon occurred to me was the lack  of any in depth public book/story involving the Secret Service Agents from that day.  From a Law Enforcement perspective, I always thought I would like to have seen an in depth account of what they saw and experienced during that time.  Sure there are some statements and investigative/research blurbs in The Warren report,  Manchester's book, Bishops book,  Roberts book and a few others. One tv interview with Clint Hill in 1975.  All in all I wanted more, I knew there had to be more.  I had my own  ideas as to why there wasn’t more.
 
When I first heard about The Kennedy Detail I was personally excited and gratified that this was finally done. However honestly, I did not know much about Jerry Blaine.  I quickly found that Clint Hill was involved and of course, I knew who he was. I went out, bought the book and began reading what I hoped would be the piece of research that I always desired to know.  A piece of research that I felt was crucially needed.    I finished  the Book in four days.  When I finished the Book, I knew exactly who Jerry Blaine was.

There are but a few historically significant books on the subject of the Assassination and this one is at the top of the list.  This Book is a deeply personal experience from the men who lived it. They were there.  I believe to really “get it”…..that is to say completely understand the meaning of this book number one you have to believe in the integrity of the writer and those involved.  The integrity of these men, all the Agents, is above reproach! These clearly were dedicated, honorable men that swore to an oath and upheld it.  We must understand that this oath meant something; it meant  honor, integrity, honesty, sacrifice and respect for the position. This Book is a true and factual account. When this is blended with the true facts of this case the reader comes away with the feeling that the circle is complete. History is now complete and an accurate  historical aspect is clearly and honestly laid out. 

I have read other reviews on this forum, I disagree with a few.  I will not resort to name calling and cursing.  This is a public forum. To resort to this level of expression is quite disrespectful and frankly uncalled for and extremely unprofessional…especially for self proclaimed experts and writers.  It serves to diminish and trivialize whatever it is you are trying to say.   This form of expression along with its’ twisted interpretations of history become baseless, having succumbed to the interesting but not really relevant issue. The fact that President Kennedy  used the Lincoln bubble top on many prior occasions DOES NOT prove anything with regard to Tampa and Dallas.   The fact that President Kennedy on many prior occasions  allowed Agents to ride on or run beside the Presidential Limousine DOES NOT prove anything with regard to Tampa and Dallas.  The Presidents’  mindset along with his assistants was different for Tampa and Dallas.   He especially wanted to be seen  and wanted Mrs. Kennedy (in Dallas) to be seen.  His chief assistant O’Donnell made the call on the morning of the 22nd to leave the bubble top off because he knew that is what the President wanted. This information is not coming from me, those who wish to research this topic will find it in several factual sources.  The Agents were requested to stay off the rear of the Presidential Limousine, this IS what the President wanted and he wanted it especially for this motorcade on the 22nd.

Pure fate took its’ course that day. The rain stopped and the skies cleared.  The rain stopped and the skies cleared!!!

Pure fate took its course that day.  Just the way many American tragedies had before and after the 22nd.   Every historical American tragedy can be armchair quarterbacked.  Realistically, in life things just happen. The most brilliant minds in America could not prevent pure fate from taking its course in history:  the 3 astronauts in 67…….the Space Shuttle disasters in 86 and ’03.  But for pure luck we did not lose President Reagan at the hands of Hinckley.  Imagine the books and finger pointing, and the conspiracy theories that would have arisen had He died that day.  But for pure luck, we did not lose President Ford at the hands of a gun wielding Fromme.  The unpredictable nature of the human being will surely be the source for American tragedies yet to come. They too will not be prevented.

More importantly the American public must accept the fact  that individuals, acting alone, the likes of  Adam Lanza, James  Holmes, Jared Lee Loughner (political assailant), John Hinckley (Reagan assailant), James Earl Ray and Lee Harvey Oswald will always be among us.

Every American owes a deep sense of gratitude to Jerry Blaine, Clint Hill and all the Secret Service Agents that contributed to this historically significant book, they should be respected and admired. 

 Pure fate reared its head that day in November and gave all of us another American tragedy that  CANNOT be blamed on anyone other than Lee Harvey Oswald.

This Book gets 5 Stars+, you better believe it; Thank you Jerry, Clint and Lisa for this needed chapter of American History

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