| President's
Visit to California Includes PUC
by Julie Z. Lee |
 During
President George W. Bush’s four-day visit to California,
Angwin unexpectedly became the center of the media's attention.
After days of press speculation as to where Bush would land
for his brief visit to the Napa Valley, military helicopters touched
down at the Angwin Airport on Friday—contrary to numerous
presidential advance team reports. As of Friday, Pacific
Union College officials had received confirmation that the president
would not be arriving in Angwin, despite practice landings earlier
in the week. With Angwin out of the picture, the valley swirled
with rumors that the entourage would be arriving at a St. Helena
elementary school, where practice runs had also been held, or at
a private resort.
But around 6 p.m. Friday, a train of law enforcement vehicles
began zipping up Howell Mountain Road and towards the airport.
Close to 8 p.m., helicopters could be heard roaring through the
dark sky. Ten minutes later, a motorcade sped past a modest gathering
of citizens who had caught on that the president of the United
States would be driving through their quiet little town.
The excitement continued early Saturday morning when residents
noticed a number of cars making their way to the Los Posadas State
Forest that surrounds the PUC campus and boasts some of the best
bike trails in the region. Already, the media had described the
presidential mountain bike being loaded onto Air Force One. Anticipating
that the president, a mountain biking enthusiast, would be riding
in Angwin, a handful of people braved the morning cold and fog
at the Cold Springs Road and Los Posadas Road junction for a glimpse
of the president. At about 10:15, a small motorcade cruised down
the street; Bush, seated in one of several black SUVs, waved at
cheering onlookers.
 Soon
after, Angwin’s residents gathered once more—this
time at the airport—in anticipation of the president’s
departure. Media reports confirmed that Bush was scheduled to be
in Sacramento by mid-afternoon, continuing his tour through California,
which began in San Jose and will end in Southern California.
The boldly curious, bundled in thick jackets, surrounded the airport
property, being careful not to ruffle the dozens of secret service
policing the perimeter. Others stood in their front yards, waiting
to hear the telltale rumble of Marine One.
At 1 p.m., four enormous choppers landed at the airport. Twenty-five
minutes later, the aircraft lifted into the sky, churning up clouds
of red dust. And within seconds, they were gone, ending
Angwin's weekend brush with the president.
According to an article in the Napa Valley Register, Bush is the
first president to make an official visit to Napa County. In the
past, only former presidents have toured this area. However, this
isn't Angwin's first visitor from the current White House administration.
Last year, Vice President Dick Cheney also flew into the Angwin
Airport during a visit to St. Helena.
The Angwin Airport is part of PUC, which
offers a bachelor of science degree in aviation. The airport
also offers ground schools and flight instruction to individuals
in the community. PUC is a four-year liberal arts college, affiliated
with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. PUC focuses on undergraduate
education and has consistently ranked in the top tier for Western
comprehensive colleges in U.S. News & World
Report.
PUC Gallery | Bush Visits Angwin
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