Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Post-Presidential Papers, 1961-69
EISENHOWER, DWIGHT D.: POST-PRESIDENTIAL PAPERS, 1961-69 1968 PRINCIPAL FILE Series Description The 1968 Principal File contains the main office files of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Gettysburg Office. The series is divided into three subseries. The first thirty-six boxes comprise a subject file arranged by categories, such as appointments, Eisenhower Center, foreign affairs, gifts, invitations, memberships, messages, political affairs, public relations, and trips. The alphabetical subseries occupies the next eleven boxes, and is arranged by the name of the individual or organization corresponding with Eisenhower. The final four boxes contain the “Bulk File” subseries, which has printed materials and oversized items. In 1968 Dwight Eisenhower suffered heart attacks in April and August, and he spent a number of months in the hospital, first at March Air Force Base in California and later at Walter Reed in Washington, D.C. His health problems greatly affected his ability to keep up his correspondence and limited the number of appointments he could keep. The series contains a large number of get-well letters and cards. Many requests for endorsements, special messages, autographs, gifts, and letters, as well as invitations to various events, were turned down by his office staff due to Eisenhower’s ill health and the limits placed on his activities by his doctors. Although Ike’s ability to travel and participate in many events was restricted by his growing health concerns, he continued to communicate with many prominent people on vital issues of the day. His correspondence frequently contains comments on U.S. foreign policy, particularly on Vietnam and the Middle East.
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