by: Anne Marie Veno
A Jamestown family recently accepted an invitation to the White House from Sen. Hillary Clinton and was treated to what was probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Dennis, Kerry, Emily and Dennis Drew IV traveled last week to the nation's capitol as guests of Mrs. Clinton at a swearing-in breakfast in her honor. Drew, a member of the 10,000 Maniacs, said he received the invitation after the band performed in a Buffalo rally during the last days of Mrs. Clinton's successful Senate campaign.
"We asked if we could bring the kids (to the White House) and they said yes," said Drew.
Drew's daughter, Emily, a third grade pupil at Holy Family Catholic School, was thrilled with the rare opportunity to dine at the White House. His son, five-year-old Dennis, was considerably less excited.
"I wanted to know when we could (leave)," the younger Dennis Drew said.
Emily, however, had a big smile on her face as she describe her White House experience.
"There was a green room with a green couch, and a red room with a red couch" she said.
In those colorful rooms hung elaborate portraits of our nation's founding fathers, former presidents and first ladies, she said.
"My favorites were Eleanor Roosevelt and Benjamin Franklin. I'll always remember those portraits."
The Drew family dined on danishes, coffee and orange juice while mingling with the crowd. Mrs. Clinton was kept well-guarded by a ring of secret service agents and a military detail, the Drew family said. Although they couldn't speak directly to Mrs. Clinton, there was plenty to see. The family was allowed to walk freely around the public areas of the White House and get close to some well-known politicians.
"The old senator from New York (Daniel Patrick Moynihan) was there," said Emily. "He had on a bow tie and suspenders."
Watching the motorcade leave the White House was interesting, too. "When they were leaving the White House there were about 10 limousines nine other cars and an ambulance following them," she said.
The Drew family didn't go to Washington empty-handed, either. They brought Mrs. Clinton a Jamestown Red Raiders state football championship sweat shirt and matching baseball hats for her, President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea.
Emily also provided a special gift of her own for the freshman senator from New York. "I gave her a Santa Claus pin that plays Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer when you press the nose," she said.