by Ron Hamilton

COLUMNS, Spring 2009 7 hoto by Jared Ragland ’00 P he Truman Balcony Ton the south portico of the White House offers arguably the most stunning vista in all of Washington. From the president’s private terrace, the eye sweeps across a panorama domi- nated by national icons. Look south, and there, looming over the great city, stands the Washington Monument. Be- hind the tall obelisk, at a distance, the Jefferson Memorial comes into view. To ndrew Hreha the southwest, the bone-white marble hoto by A

of the Lincoln Memorial can be seen. P And east, straight down Pennsylvania Miller snaps a photograph of the state arrival of the president of Ghana from the Truman Balcony of the Avenue, the dome of the Capitol is out- White House. The balcony, connected to the president’s private residence on the second floor, offers one lined against the sky. of the most unique views in Washington. There’s not another tableau in Wash- Getting the call forthright when he told them he “really ington quite like it, and there are but a Miller was gainfully and, he says, didn’t think it would happen.” privileged few who have actually stood happily employed in July 2007 as the When the big news arrived, he on the historic veranda and taken in College’s Interim Director of Student says, “Dean Slay and Dean Buchanan the view that has been enjoyed by every Activities and Services when he received couldn’t have been more supportive. president since the balcony was complet- word that he was one of only 100 stu- They said they would hold my position ed in 1948. Grant Miller ’07 can make dents from across the nation chosen for a for me since I would only be gone for the claim to be among the select who White House internship. three and a half months.” have stood on the president’s private patio He had been up front with his So, Mr. Miller went to Washington and gazed at the National Mall from this bosses, Vice President for Student Life and became a gopher, grunt and jack-of- most unique vantage. As a White House and Retention Dr. Linda Buchanan and all-trades White House intern by day, photo editor during the last year of the Dean of Students Dr. Jack Slay, regard- and by night, he continued as best he Bush presidency, Miller had access to a ing the possibility of the White House could to perform his duties for the Col- world that only the most inside of insid- internship when they hired him after lege long-distance. ers ever get to witness. graduation that spring. He also was Drs. Buchanan and Slay were so impressed with the Dalton native’s oc- Below is a photo Miller took of the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI. The image was used on the History Chan- nel and will soon be published in a book documenting the pontiff’s first trip to America. cupational juggling act that, toward the end of his White House internship in December 2007, they called him to say that when he made it back to LaGrange, the “interim” would be taken off his title. “I was absolutely thrilled,” Miller says. “I loved my job and loved working at the College. It was perfect.” But apparently there were those in the executive branch who were im- pressed with Miller as well. A week after the LaGrange College overture, he was called into the West Wing of the White House and offered a full-time position as a photo editor for the president of the United States. He was one of only four of the 100 interns offered a position. “It was a tough decision,” he says. “I hated to leave the College, but I also hard and it was tough, but there wasn’t documentary that aired on the History knew that this was an opportunity of a a day that I went to work that I did not Channel as well.” lifetime. So I called Dean Slay and Dean give it my all or love being there.” He also vividly remembers the day Buchanan and explained to them what the president of Ghana paid a state had happened, and they completely un- Memorable assignments visit—the first time Miller was assigned derstood and were very proud of me—it In addition to his duties as a photo to take photos from the Truman Balcony. made it easier for me to take the job.” editor, Miller also went on a number of “I had to walk through the first fam- assignments as a White House photogra- ily’s private residence to get to the bal- Working for the president pher. He pauses and thinks when asked cony,” he says. “Looking out, I could see As a photo editor for the White to recount some of his more memorable all of Washington. I watched as the bands House, Miller’s major duties included photographic missions. were warming up and the color guards working with media outlets to supply “That’s tough,” he says. “There were and military were lining up and getting in them with requested information and just so many.” place for the visit. There were thousands of photographs, and he was responsible for He describes a day last spring when people out on the South Lawn, and I had vetting the thousands he was perched atop a 20-foot-high the best seat in the house. It was just … of shots taken of the breathtaking.” president each day and He performed so choosing which ones well during that event were best to use. that he was again The hours were assigned to the bal- long and the schedule cony for the next state erratic, but, he says, visit when the prime the job was extremely minister of Italy came rewarding. to town. “Our schedule From a history revolved around the perspective, Miller president’s schedule, says his most memo- and the president’s rable assignment came schedule could change last November when at any time. I spent sev- he was sent to cover eral nights at work, just the G-20 Summit working through the held at the National night. For the Christ- Building Museum in mas season, I would av- Washington. erage about 110 hours a “I still can’t be- week from Thanksgiv- lieve I was in the same ing to Christmas.” room with the 20 most The Sunday before powerful people in the President Obama’s world,” he says. “But inauguration, Miller the photograph I took, said he went into work Top left, Miller gets a candid shot of President Bush after a T-ball game on the South Lawn. Top the family photo as right, a photo Miller took from the Truman Balcony during the arrival of the Prime Minister of Italy. they call it, where they at 10 a.m. and didn’t Above, Miller captured this photo of the White House bathed in pink during Breast Cancer Aware- leave until 11:30 Mon- ness Day on Oct. 7, 2008. The photo was used by media outlets around the world. all line up and pose, day night, taking just an was not only published hour catnap on his desk in that 37-hour ladder on the South Lawn of the White by the White House, but also all over the span. He then got up at 5 o’clock Tues- House waiting for Pope Benedict XVI to world in different articles.” day morning and worked until 4 a.m. arrive for a visit during the pontiff’s first Wednesday, closing the book on the trip to America. Chummy with Cheney final images of the Bush presidency. “Just being there during that historic Miller said the assignment he recalls “On a typical day, if I left by 8 or 9 moment was an amazing experience,” he most fondly did not involve recording o’clock, it was a pretty early night. It was says. “One of the photos I took that day a snapshot of a momentous event, but usually about a 12- to 15-hour day. But is being published in a commemorative rather it offered a chance to see the less I’m so thankful for the experience. It was book of the pope’s visit. It was used in a formal side of an important man.

COLUMNS, Spring 2009 9 During his off time on a Friday the owner’s dog. ers were able to spend about 15 minutes evening last June, he was strolling around “The vice president called me over alone with the leader of the free world. the World War II Memorial, taking and asked if I would mind taking a photo “He spent time talking with each of photos, when he received a call asking if of his granddaughters playing with the my brothers about their interests, and he he could cover a “Today Show” interview dog. So I crouch down in front of him, talked about his family and his brothers that was being conducted the next morn- and the aisles are so narrow and there’s and growing up and how much fun they ing at Vice President Cheney’s private so much stuff around to knock over, that had. He just loved my mom and had his residence in Eastern Shores, Md. Miller the vice president puts his hand on my arm around her the whole time, making readily agreed, thinking it would be an shoulder to steady me. And I just remem- her feel at ease.” interesting experience. ber crouching there with a camera in my When Miller’s youngest brother, The next morning he was snapping a hand, taking photos of his granddaugh- Chase, a junior in high school, told few photographs of the vice president in ters with his hand on my shoulder.” Bush that his school would not excuse his backyard overlooking the Chesapeake The photos turned out well, and the him from class to come up and meet Bay when Cheney struck up a conversa- vice president had one of them framed him, the president looked surprised. He tion with him. and placed on a table behind his desk. marched behind his desk, pulled out “He’s a very friendly guy,” Miller says. “It was just a great experience being a piece of his personal stationery and After the “Today Show” interview, able to spend that personal time with wrote the following note: Cheney called him over and introduced him and his family,” Miller says. Please excuse Chase from class. him to his wife, Lynne. He then made an He was in D.C. (I saw him!) unexpected proposal. Private audience Best wishes, “He asked if I had any plans for the Miller, who is actually the second George Bush rest of the day, and I said, ‘no, sir,’ and he LaGrange graduate to work as a photo said, ‘Well, my wife and I are taking our editor for the White House (Jared “To see the look in my parents’ eyes grandkids out on a ferryboat today, and if Ragland ’00 worked for two years as when I took them into the Oval Office is you’re willing, we’d like you to join us and an editor for Vice President Cheney), something I’ll never forget,” Miller says. maybe take a few photos while we’re out.’” can easily identify the acme of his time “I know they were very proud, and to be So, Miller ended up in the vice presi- serving the executive branch: It was the able to give them that opportunity was dent’s motorcade, spending the whole day day he was able to bring his family in to my greatest day at the White House.” with Cheney and his family. meet the president. During the excursion, the caravan “To walk into the Oval Office and to Summing up made an unscheduled stop at a small- introduce my family to the president of Now that his White House adven- town antique store. Once inside, the the United States was, without doubt, the ture has come to an end with the arrival Cheneys’ young granddaughters sat on most memorable moment for me,” he says. of a new administration, Miller says he the floor and began making friends with Miller, his parents and three broth- plans to take some time to decompress. Miller and his family pause for a photo with the president. From left are Miller’s father, Clay; brother He says he’d like to pursue photography Chase; Miller; President Bush; Miller’s mother, Kim; brother Andrew; and brother Bryan. as a career in “some way,” but that he also was up for new challenges. He believes he took full advantage of the opportunity he was given, saying, “That’s one thing I really focused on. I knew what a unique situation I was in, and every day I took advantage of any opportunity that presented itself. I won’t look back and say, ‘Well, I should have done that.’ “Just going to work and serving the country and serving our president every day was very fulfilling and very reward- ing. To be right in the middle of history every day, to witness all the decisions that were made, to witness everything as it happened—it was just incredible.” n hoto by Joyce N. Boghosian P

10 COLUMNS, Spring 2009