Post by Stephen Schwartz / Redsky

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During his tour, NORAD Commander in Chief General Seth McKee presented President Nixon with a piece of granite from Cheyenne Mountain in a wooden presentation box while standing outside the facility’s underground entrance.

A black and white United Press International wirephoto showing a smiling President Nixon (left) receiving a piece of granite with the NORAD emblem in a wooden presentation box from NORAD Commander in Chief General Seth McKee outside the underground entrance to the NORAD facility. A solid rock wall with large metal bolts in it is visible at left.

A close-up black and white Associated Press wirephoto showing a smiling President Nixon (left) receiving a piece of granite with the NORAD emblem in a wooden presentation box from NORAD Commander in Chief General Seth McKee outside the underground entrance to the NORAD facility. A solid rock wall with large metal bolts in it is visible behind Nixon.

sep 1, 2025, 3:45 pm • 7 2

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(On June 5, 1963—as part of a whirlwind five day trip to western states, and after delivering the commencement address at the US Air Force Academy and touring its campus—President John F. Kennedy paid a brief visit to NORAD headquarters, then aboveground at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.)

An official color photograph showing President John F. Kennedy (center) shaking hands with Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Air Marshal Clarence R. Dunlap, during his visit to NORAD headquarters at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Commander of NORAD, General John K. Gerhart, stands to the right of President Kennedy. Also pictured: Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; Deputy Commander of NORAD, Air Marshal Charles Roy Slemon (RCAF); Vice Commander of the Air Defense Command, General Robert Merrill Lee; Military Aide to the President, General Chester V. Clifton; Special Assistants to the President, Kenneth P. O'Donnell, Larry O'Brien, and Dave Powers; and White House Secret Service agent, Gerald A.

An official color photograph showing President John F. Kennedy (center, back to camera) greeting military personnel and others gathered during his visit to the NORAD headquarters at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

sep 1, 2025, 3:45 pm • 7 1 • view