Harry S. Truman : A Great American President

HARRY S. TRUMAN
A STORY OF A GREAT PRESIDENT OF AMERICA
AMERICA WILL NEVER TREAT ITS
RETIRED PRESIDENT SAME WAY AGAIN

Harry & Bess Truman

Harry Truman was a different kind of unique President of America. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri . His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale.."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!

In his retirement he was sitting on a bench along roadside and a passer-by's car broke down. Driver could not fix it so Harry Truman got up, and fixed the car. While he was fixing the driver said, "You know we had that son of beach for president Harry Truman........"

Well car was fixed, driver ready to leave, highly obliged, he asked the retired president on the road, "You are a very kind, nice gentleman and stupid me I don't even know your name. Please tell me who you are?"

Harry Truman started laughing, "I am that son of beach you mentioned."

Enjoy and make best use of human life that you have.

It has an expiration date.

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