Everybody has a story: Sheen good sport about ‘Presidential’ encounter

Many years ago, when “The West Wing” was the show everyone watched, my 5-year old granddaughter and I went to Los Angeles International Airport to meet a friend coming in from London. We were standing near the customs exit when Martin Sheen, the star of “The West Wing,” came out.

I didn’t say anything to my granddaughter, believing she was too young to know who he was. But, as Sheen came within a few feet of us, my granddaughter waved at him. And he returned the wave. She stepped away from me to greet him. I started to pull her back, but he held up his hand to stop me. She went up to him, put out her hand and said, “Good evening, President Bartlett.”

Sheen, being the gentleman he is, shook her hand and greeted her. “Well, good evening, young lady. Are you waiting to meet someone?”

“Yes, Brian is coming from London.”

“Well, I am coming from London too.”

My granddaughter motioned toward me and said, “I just wanted to tell you that my grandma says that the United States really needs a president like you.”

He looked quite serious and replied, “I certainly appreciate she feels that way.”

She offered her hand again. He shook it, gave me a half-salute and went on, smiling. I was practically dying of mortification. The few people around us were grinning and whispering.

My granddaughter was quite excited to have met the president of the United States. “Wow! I can’t believe it. I didn’t think he was for real. But he is. He shook my hand, even. Wait ’til I tell Mom!”

Everybody Has a Story welcomes nonfiction contributions, 1,000 words maximum, and relevant photographs. Send to: neighbors@columbian.com or P.O. Box 180, Vancouver WA, 98666. Call “Everybody Has an Editor” Scott Hewitt, 360-735-4525, with questions.