Hall of Fame

I look around and I see a who's who of Washington. I glance to my right and see Richard Myers the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. He can't find a seat at this gathering. I had arrived early, not because I thought it would be a packed house. I just wasn't sure where I was going. So I arrive and take a seat in the back of the auditorium. That's when I spot Myers. He's standing alongside the wall, about 10 feet away from me. There aren't any seats available. Or at least it looks that way. Someone motions to him in the front. They saved him a seat. But before he makes his way up to the front he stops to visit with a diplomat or attache from a foreign country. I can't tell you which one, but it's apparent because of the ritualized bowing that begins and ends their conversation.

Who could command an outpouring like this? All of these military leaders and diplomats. Is it the President or a foreign head of state? No it's the guy to the right. Ron Hall is the man who packed the house and landed the plaudits. After more than 50 years of globetrotting with some of the top officials at the Pentagon and with lawmakers and heads of state, he's hanging up his camera. On paper Ron Hall would be listed as a staff photographer for the Air Force. But there isn't one person here who actually believes that. Some of the speakers choke back tears, and talk about their emotions as they pay tribute to this wonderful man. Ron is one of those true gems that are hard to find in Washington. His philosophy and style can be summed up this way; it's not about him, it's about everyone around him. He's always gone the extra mile to make sure that everyone around him is seen in just the right light. There are quite a few funny stories about Ron that are shared. There's the one about the guy who wants Ron replaced because he doesn't show the right sort of deference to his boss. That's because Ron is known for whispering information in the ears of higher ups, or tugging at their sleeves. He does it because he's on the lookout to make sure that there are no faux pas. He'll point out a diplomat over there, or might just say something like this:

"You know I saw the White House do it this way. You might consider doing it that way too."

The higher ups recognize, in a city of sycophants, a sleeve puller is far more valuable. The speaker gets a big laugh when he says the guy who complained about Ron Hall has now been dispatched to Alaska.

After the speeches, there was a reception for Ron. I examine all the people milling around waiting for their chance to give him their best. I brush alongside CIA Director General Michael Hayden. From the biggest names to the smallest, each took their turn waiting to say hello and to wish him well in retirement. To Ron, there are no big names. Everyone is greeted with that same warm smile, and charming demeanor. When one woman starts talking for a lengthy period of time, Ron suggests they get together for coffee some time, because there are just so many people waiting to say hello. He handles the situation as deftly and masterfully as a skilled politician. I wait my turn and tell him how honored I feel to be here. After all, unlike the others here who have known Ron for much of the 50 years he has spent taking photographs, I've only known him for a very short time. I had done a story on him when he celebrated his 50th year on the job. I had also blogged about him. He told me how much he enjoyed his time with me, and how so many of his family and friends had read my blog about him. He was kind enough to introduce me to his daughter Fawn Hall. I know you've heard her name before. I also managed to catch the eye of his wife Wanda. She spends some time talking to me too. She talks about her time in government working at the side of Henry Kissinger during his stint with the Nixon Administration. I can't stay long, so I say my farewells and head out the door thinking about how remarkable it is that this man has touched so many. He won't ever find his name in the headlines or entered in the history books. But he's been there to witness headline making events, and moments in history. He's captured them all with his camera. In the process, he has also captured the hearts of admirers far and wide. Not a bad legacy... not a bad legacy at all.