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57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 31, 2004 Cheney’s arrival halts Medford airport flights By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Traffic in and out of the Medford airport was frozen for about 15 minutes Friday afternoon before Air Force Two and its VIP passenger hit the tarmac. Airport Director Bern Case said he was excited about Vice President Dick Cheney’s arrival but hoped nothing exciting would happen. "Nothing goes in and nothing goes out," said Case. "I’ll sigh a breath of relief when the wheels are up and everything has gone well." Secret Service agents, airport security, Medford police, Oregon State Police, hazmat teams, local greeters and the press milled around the restricted area, getting in position for Cheney’s arrival. Local conservative talk radio host Rosemary Harrington and about nine other official greeters were on hand to shake hands with the vice president. Advertisement Harrington said she was excited to meet Cheney — and hoping not to make the same mistake she did two years ago when President Bush came to Southern Oregon. "I hope I don’t call him by his first name," Harrington said with an embarrassed smile. Not a local celebrity, Don Johnson said he wasn’t too sure why he was invited or by whom. "Someone called me and told me to get my butt down here," he said. Johnson said he wouldn’t head to the Expo to hear Cheney’s speech with the rest of the greeters. "I’ll shake his hand and then I’m going home," he said. "I can watch his speech on TV." Within minutes of Johnson’s statement, the huge sky-blue and white plane landed and taxied gently to the meet-and- greet area. Cheney and his wife, Lynne, stood for a moment on the landing of the stairs and waved to the crowd. The vice president and his entourage shook hands with the Southern Oregonians and smoothly made their way to the motorcade that would take them to the Expo. Harrington said afterward she hadn’t embarrassed herself during her brief moments with the vice president. "I told him it was a pleasure to meet him and that I was looking forward to his debate with (John) Edwards," said Harrington. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times