Leon Thompson to President Clinton re: an Article Written by Thompson

Leon Thompson LTJ 68 Mountain View Drive Ty Swanton, VT 05488 '96 NOV 15 PM4:32 Mr. William Jefferson Clinton President of the United States of America The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC 20500-0003 October 28, 1996 Mr. President: I am a 22-year old staff writer for the "st. Albans Messenger,' a daily newspaper located in the heart of a Northwestern Vermont town. In my sixth week on the job, I encountered a woman who had an incredible story to tell. The name Rosalie Lepeltier is familiar to you, I'm sure, and she was willing to share a memory that is special to her: the night you escorted her to the Hot Springs High School Debutante Ball of 1964. As you can see from the enclosed story, Rosalie has neglected to see you as solely the Commander in Chief. She has taken it upon herself to treat that one night in 1964 as a special event and still remember you as, in her own words, "Billy Clinton." In reading this story, you will also notice that Rosalie lives a stereotypical Vermont life; her country home is filled with morality and intelligence, two virtues she has surely passed along to all seven of her children. For Rosalie, sharing her story with me gave her the chance to unbury a cherished memory in a modest way. As the story says, she would love to reunite with you one more time, and the song she wrote on that first inaugural night back in 1993 is wonderful; you should hear it yourself. For myself, speaking with Rosalie gave me the opportunity to look at you and your position in a new light. While a number of journalists have tainted our reputation by blowing you and your life out of proportion, I was fortunate enough to indirectly experience you in a manner that allows me to now view you as the same blood-pumping human being that I am. If I were to meet you, I would see more than the President of the United States, and I owe that to Rosalie Lepeltier. I understand that you are running on a hectic schedule right now, Mr. President, but I thought you may enjoy reading about an old friend in any spare moment you may have. So enjoy the story and know that Rosalie and I are thinking of you. If you wish to respond, please write to the return address I have provided at the opening of this letter. Take care of yourself, and breathe after the election. Sincerely, LaSTha Leon J. Thompson Messenger Vol. 133 No. 248 (USPS) (5133-8000) 50 cents A date with Bill Clinton An East Fairfield woman's one-of-a-kind memoirs By LEON THOMPSON grew up in Hot Springs, Messenger Staff Writer Arkansas, a "bicycle ride" from Hope, Clinton's hometown, AST FAIRFIELD- "I Lepeltier was one year behind E don't even really Clinton while attending Hot remember that night. Springs High School. He knew me, I knew As she looks through her Hot him, and he wanted Springs Trojans yearbooks, to do it. It was a nice occasion." The "he" in this case is ORANS pointing out Clinton's picture in every other club photo on every William Jefferson Clinton. That other page, she remembers an "night" was 32 years ago. active, involved, warm and sin- Today, Rosalie Lepeltier sits cere teenager who stood out in at her kitchen table, the old JOHN THORNTON, Messenger Staff his class of about 400. yearbooks from Hot Springs "He was very, very active, High School laid out before her. and into politics right from the As she talks, the memories of beginning," Lepeltier says. "He that night so long ago - her excelled at anything he did and date to a debutante ball with the was an ambitious high achiever. young man who would become He was well-liked and popular, president - slowly return. too. He was cut out for the even- Lepeltier is wearing blue tual job he got. Well, at least the overalls, a uniform one might (Right) Now an East Fairfield resident, Rosalie Lepeltier poses campaigning." expect of someone who makes with ber recognizable escort to the 1964 Hot Springs Clinton's face is everywhere clay smoking pipes for a living. throughout his 1964 senior year- That's something she has done Debutante Ball. (Above) Lepeltier looks through book, a foreshadowing of what since 1977. a high school yearbook with ber son Vincent. newspaper and magazine covers Her life in this small rural would be like in the U.S. some 30 town could not be more differ- Stone's Sunoco out the living acknowledge his rise to power, years later. ent than that of Bill Clinton. room window. She has difficulty but Billy Clinton will always be There's the president in his Their lives have taken radically drawing the line between Bill Billy Clinton." band major uniform with a cap- Clinton, She different paths from their roots tion that reads "Billy Clinton." president would love to in the rural South. 'I always see bim as the There he is again, wailing Lepeltier doesn't follow poli- of the see Billy away on an alto saxophone in a tics. She doesn't watch televi- United person I knew. I acknowledge again one group shot of the Trojan jazz sion; the set is unhooked. She States, and bis rise to power, but Billy day. band, The Stardusters. Bill "I doesn't buy newspapers, and And, yes, there he is one she has no desire to comment Clinton, Clinton will always be would like to more time, in what would the mem- see him on on any of Clinton's achieve- ments or the alleged scandals ber of the Billy Clinton. become a much-publicized an informal, photo, shaking hands with that have dogged him over the drama club personal President John F. Kennedy at years - Gennifer Flowers, the who escort- - Rosalie Lepeltier. level," the White House. Whitewater investigation, Paula ed her to Lepeltier Clinton did not sign Jones. the Hot Springs Debutante Ball. says of Clinton. "I'd ask him, Lepeltier's yearbook, but she The tall, slender woman lives "I always see him as the per- 'Where's your soul?" has a photo of herself and son I knew," she says. "I A native of Louisiana who in a house with a view of CLINTON DATE on the back page 10 Obituaries, Births & the Weather The St. Albans (Vt.) Messenger, Friday, October 25, 996 Clinton date: continued from the front page Vacancies: from page one THE WEATHER Clinton - a future Vermonter "I don't care," says her son me. I would love to see you and the time commitment the job and a future political giant - entails, Gonnella-French said. TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Low 35 to 40. Vincent, 9, on his mom's date your family. My memories too dressed to the nines at the Hot with the president. "It doesn't are so good and I would never "No one is certain yet they Springs Debutante Ball. interest me that much." have been elected without the can afford that amount of time," TOMORROW: Saturday, mostly sunny and milder. High 55 In 1964 Clinton was attending As Vincent plays with the help of my old and true friends. she said. to 65. Georgetown University in family's dog, Lepeltier reflects Bill." There is also a reluctance to Washington, D.C. and was home on a different part of her life, Lepeltier was invited to the actively campaign for the posi- REST OF THE WEEK: Sunday, partly cloudy. Lows in the for the holidays. Lepeltier decid- the eight years spent in Paris Inaugural Ball, an entirely dif- tions, Gonnella-French said. 30s. Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Monday, partly cloudy ed she wanted to attend the ball, with her former husband and ferent formal occasion than the However, some possible can- with chance of a shower. Lows in the 40s. Highs low in the 50s. a Christmas formal sponsored her children. She remembers it one she shared with Clinton in didates have told her they would Tuesday, partly cloudy with chance of a shower. Lows in the 30s. by her high school It was held as being anything but the "City 1964. But she declined the invi- be willing to offer themselves Highs 45 to 50. at an elegant hotel. of Love." tation. for appointment, she said. A member of numerous "That was a hard life," she "People are crazed when they There is a sentiment of apa- clubs herself, she had known recalls. "You have to conform are presented with the opportu- thy to be found in the communi- Clinton by association Going more there. It is limited and nity to rub elbows with a higher ty; there is a core of people in against all traditions of the day, small minded." power," she says, adding that the community who get OBITUARIES she asked him, and he accepted She and her family chose she sympathizes with her old involved but many more who do without hesitation. Vermont over Paris and over friend for the position in which not, she said. CLEMENT E. HURTEAU, JR. Calvary Cemetery by the St. "It was like a fairy tale expe- Arkansas, because her father he finds himself. "I don't think it's just with A Mass of Christian Burial Albans Town Rescue Unit where rience," she says of that night. was born in Groton and had "I think the whole man must school board issues," she said. was celebrated for Mr. Clement prayers of committal were "The ballroom was more owned land here for years. be lost in it all," she says quiet- "It seems like people just don't E. Hurteau, Jr., Monday in Holy offered by Father Houle. The impressive than the escort, but I Lepeltier and her husband ly, her hand resting on her year- want to go out and get involved Angels Church. Father W. Andre Vermont National Guard held a couldn't have chosen a better divorced in 1994. book. period." Houle, a close family brother-in- Military Salute to their fallen person, could I?" While residing in Paris she And what about that question Filling vacancies on the law, and pastor of St. Peter's comrade. The honor guard was As tradition dictated, her did hear from an old high school she would ask the president: school board is frequently a dif- Church in Rutland, was the under the direction of O.I.C. father escorted her to the ball buddy who was attending "Where's your soul?" ficult task, Superintendent of celebrant. Altar servers were Capt. Robert Bates with firing and gave her hand to Clinton. Oxford University. Where is Rosalie Lepeltier's Schools Larry Ross said. James Brouillette and George squad members 1st Sgt. Don Clinton was a good formal "It was about 1970," Lepeltier soul? In his time as superinten- Swann. Offertory gifts were Gauthier, SFC Kevin Dailey, dancer, she recalls. However, the says of the reunion between "My soul is tucked right in dent, he cannot recall any slot presented by Clem's children SSG Dan Landry, SSG Dominic conversation that evening was herself and Clinton. "He just the heart of Jesus," she says. being contested, he said. Shawn, Michael and Jennifer Delia, SSG Peter Viau, SSG Dan limited. came into my home and visited Her soul's home is the object "It's a no-win situation gener. Hurteau. Readings were offered Bashaw, Sgt. David Brown and "There wasn't a lot of talk- with my family." of a song she wrote the night of ally as far as the public is con- by Clem's sister-in-law Linda the bugler SSG Michael cerned," he said. "No matter Johnston and brother-in-law McGovern. Following the Salute ing," she says. The music was Lepeltier searches for a cou- Clinton's inaugural ball. Titled what the board's decision, some- Thomas Baxter. Music was by and Taps, Captain Bates too loud. ple of letters buried somewhere "May Your Will Be Done," the one is generally disappointed." organist and soloist Claire presented the American flag Lepeltier says she had no in the Clinton memory pile one first lyric serves as a prayer amorous feelings for Clinton. her table. As Vincent walks the The flip-side of the issue is Hungerford. A guard of honor from the veterans casket to from Lepeltier for her old that being a board member is an was present from the St. Albans Clem's wife Carolyn Hurteau. "There was no dog through the house on a friend: "May your will be done Town Firefighters and Rescue Interment followed in the boyfriend/girlfriend thing," she leash, she jumps ahead 22 years on earth as it is in heaven./May important way for an individual Squad and from the Catholic Hurteau family lot. Sunday says, shaking her head. She in her story. the spirit of the lord march to contribute to the success of Daughters of the Americas, evening the Catholic Daughters emphasizes that Clinton was a In 1992, the governor of across the troubled land." the school, Ross said. Court St. Mary. In attendance at of the Americas, with their complete gentleman who really Arkansas was about to become "I would love the opportunity "The reality is the education the church was the Ladies of St. chaplain, Father Bernard didn't date frequently in high the next president of the United to sing it to him," she says soft- of young people is a difficult Anne, St. Albans City Fire school. "He wasn't a ladies' States. Steadfastly campaigning ly. job, but we need to emphasize Bechard, S.S.E. held a rosary Department, St. Albans Town and Christian Wake Service man," she says, as if proud to across- the country, one of his But what about Hillary that there are positive parts to and City Clerk's Offices, Holiday with the family and friends in destroy a current stereotype. stops that September was in Clinton? being a board member," he said. House Nursing Home, the Brady & Levesque Funeral Lepeltier treats the night and Burlington. Lepeltier decided to "I'm glad I'm not she, and I "You can make a difference by Rocheleau Appraisal Service Home. her date with a future president attend the rally with a couple of don't think I'd get along too well influencing the direction of the and the Vermont National with her," she says with a slight school." Guard, 186th Battalion of ELLIS L. (JAKE) McKNIGHT with the utmost modesty. She her children. Winooski. The bearers were Ellis L. (Jake) McKnight, 81, refuses to live in the past or She never got to speak with rise of her voice. "Of the two of David Brady, Lawrence passed away Sunday night, treat that one evening as the Clinton that day and decided to them, I like Bill a lot more. He's Cherrier, John Geary, Albert October 20, 1996 at his home in basis of who she was, or who write him a letter explaining warmer than her, but there she has become. her attempt at one more Correction Houle, Douglas Johnston, Roy Pennsylvania. A complete must be a side of him that Parah Jr., Randy Swann and obituary will follow at a later "This was an interesting ves- reunion. matches her." date. Kelly Westcom. The funeral tige of the past that has nothing "I wanted you to know that I Despite her disinterest in pol- In a St. Albans Chamber of cortege was escorted to Mt. to do with my present or future. wanted to find the man I once itics, Lepeltier does plan to vote, I don't want a lot of nosey peo- knew behind that picture-per- but for which candidate? Commerce article on page 6 ple interfering in my private life fect image," she reads from her "I understand that America Tuesday the setting for a THE CROSSROADS Chamber mixer was listed in- or blowing this out of propor- letter - a document reproduced has a secret ballot policy," she correctly. The December mixer tion," she says, staring into the on spiral notebook paper and says, her answer evolving into MDA - where help and hope meet. will be held at the Comfort Inn, candle aflame on her kitchen written in blue ink. laughter PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPY table. "What bothers me the She received an almost imme- "That's personal." most is that this is nothing big, diate response - a typed letter and people will try to make it on Clinton/Gore Campaign sta- out that way." tionary. On the right hand cor- All seven of her children nèr of the letter is a hand-writ- Orange Count understand their mother's feel- ten note. ings about her date with Bill "I am so sorry I missed you," Clinton. wrote Clinton. "Please forgive By ROSS SNEYD Associated Press Writer ANDOLPH, Vt. (AP) It's BIG SIDEWALK a.m. The rain has stopped, but the fog persists on