ROADTRIPPIN - HANGING WITH HARRY

Harry Truman Home & Presidential Library

   After a very-early-morning stop at the Kansas City Temple, I still had a few hours to swing by the Truman Home & Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri.

Behind every great man stands a great woman!

   The Harry S Truman Home is a beautiful old home, built by Bess Truman’s maternal grandfather in the 1800s. Bess’ father committed suicide, and she moved in with her grandparents (with her mother and siblings) – and Harry & Bess continued to live there after they were married. Before, during, and even after his presidency, this was where they called home. One of my favorite Truman quotes: “I tried to never forget who I was, where I’d come from, and where I’d be going back to. And if you can do that, things usually work out in the end. You can always go home.”

   And less than a mile away is the Truman Presidential Library. One of the things that stands out is how many letters Harry and Bess wrote back and forth over the years. Harry proposed before he left for WWI, and even though she turned him down, they continued to write while he was away at war – and continued to write throughout their lives. There are over 1300 known letters. The Library (really more of a museum than what we expect from a traditional library) has a replica of the Truman Oval Office – pretty amazing to see up close. And Harry and Bess are buried out in the courtyard – with their only daughter Margaret and her husband buried nearby. (I’m a big fan of the Margaret Truman murder mysteries all set in Washington DC landmarks.) And, of course, there is an Eternal Flame.

   Truman was an unintentional President, who became president at the sudden death of Roosevelt in 1945 – and was most noted for the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb, and thereby end WWII (a still strongly debated decision). He also enacted the Berlin Airlift, survived an assassination attempt, sent U.S. troops to fight in the Korean War, fired General Douglas McArthur, did a major renovation of the White House, and was a strong advocate of Civil Rights in the 1950s. 

   Despite your political preferences, there is something endearing about learning about the men that make the sacrifice to lead this great nation. It's no small task, and a rather thankless job at that. Back when Truman was in office, there wasn't even a Presidential Pension or many of the lifelong perks that happen now. He did what he did because it was the right thing to do, and he gave it his all. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend making the stop and learning a bit more about our 33^rd U.S. President.