Gary Walters dedicated 37 years to the White House, where he evolved from a protective officer to the longest-serving chief usher in history. His role as chief usher involved managing the residence, akin to a general manager, supervising maintenance, renovations, food service, and administrative functions. Under Walters, a staff of approximately 90 to 100 butlers, housekeepers, cooks, florists, electricians, and others operated under his direction.
Throughout his tenure, Walters served under both Democratic and Republican presidents, illustrating his commitment to the office rather than politics. He emphasized, “We served the presidency.” His journey began as an officer in the Executive Protective Service, focusing on the security of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. In 1976, he transitioned to the Usher’s Office as an assistant and, by 1986, he rose to the position of chief usher, serving Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush until his retirement in 2007.
During a recent event, Walters shared several captivating anecdotes from his time at the White House. One significant event occurred on September 11, 2001, when Walters and a small team remained at the White House while other staff evacuated for safety during the terrorist attacks. The South Lawn was prepared for the annual Congressional Picnic, but when news broke of the attacks, Walters understood that President George W. Bush would want to return quickly from Florida. To facilitate this, he and his team manually cleared over 160 tables belonging to the picnic to make room for Marine One, the presidential helicopter.
As they worked under increasing stress, Walters recounted hearing false reports of an explosion at the State Department and witnessing a plume of smoke from the Pentagon after another plane struck it. He expressed a belief that passengers aboard another hijacked flight, which ultimately crashed in Pennsylvania, indirectly saved his life on that horrific day. Walters described it as “the most frightening day, obviously, that I’d ever spent at the White House.”
Another memorable moment involved a thoughtful gesture towards President George H.W. Bush’s grandchildren. Maureen Reagan, President Reagan's daughter, had previously distributed stuffed teddy bears at children's hospitals during her travels. When a shipment of bears arrived late, Walters had stored them for later use. On Inauguration Day for President Bush, with his grandchildren feeling restless at the White House, Walters retrieved the teddy bears and placed one in each child’s bed, providing them comfort and joy amidst the transition.
One of the more alarming anecdotes Walters shared involved a near disaster during a dinner hosted by Ronald and Nancy Reagan. As preparations were underway, Walters noticed smoke seeping from the Yellow Oval Room, where the fireplace was lit to enhance the atmosphere. Realizing the room was filled with smoke due to improper ventilation, he rushed into action, instructing staff to fan the smoke out while he opened the flue and windows. In a swift decision, Walters threw the burning logs over the Truman Balcony while ensuring the smoke was contained by placing damp towels at the door. This incident was kept discreet, and Walters ensured the evening proceeded as planned, saying, “The evening went along as if nothing had happened,” despite the chaos that unfolded prior.
Walters’ experiences capture the essence of life at the White House, revealing both the challenges and triumphs he faced in his extensive career dedicated to serving the presidency.
