During the second day of the two days spent sorting through his garage looking for items for the Ford Museum, President Gerald Ford asked to borrow my pen. It was a simple Skilcraft felt marker (Skilcraft is the long-time government contractor) and the former president looked surprised even peeved when, as we finished late that afternoon, and he was saying thanks for the help, I asked for my pen back.
“Oh, I want to save it and give it to one of my grandchildren,” I said.
I swear Ford actually glowed at this simple flattery as he handed the pen to me.
And yes, I still have the pen nearly 28 years (and six grandchildren) later. Haven’t decided which one to give it to, yet.