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President Dwight Eisenhower

(October 14, 1890 - March 28, 1969)

Photo taken by Koshare Bill Mckenzie
 

Eisenhower was an American soldier and politician, who served as the thirty-fourth President of the United States (1953-1961). During World War II, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, with responsibility for planning and supervising the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944-45. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO. As a Republican, he was elected the 34th U.S. President, serving for two terms. As President, he ended the Korean War, kept up the pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, made nuclear weapons a higher defense priority, launched the Space Race, enlarged the Social Security program, and began the Interstate Highway System.


Eisenhower and the Koshares

The Koshares' history with Eisenhower can be traced back to August of 1952 when the Koshares wrote Eisenhower for some campaign buttons. Eisenhower sent a letter in which he stated, "I've heard about the fine work of the Koshare Indian Troop and am pleased that they have asked for these buttons."

Eisenhower's favorite vacationing spot, during his presidency, was in the state of Colorado. In 1955, the Koshares were scheduled to dance for Eisenhower while he was in Colorado on vacation. However, during this time he suffered from a heart attack and the show never came to fruition. However, Eisenhower later met the Koshares on two separate occasions when the Koshares toured Washington, D.C.

On the first meeting Eisenhower left a cabinet meeting to greet the Koshares in the Oval Office of the White House. Then a few years, in 1958, he met the Koshares in the Rose Garden. When one of the Koshares asked the President if he would return to Colorado, Eisenhower stated that his doctors would not allow him. However, after he got out of office Eisenhower made a trip to the state of Colorado and he stopped for a brief visit at the Koshare Indian Museum.