Sgt. Maj. Bailey summed up the experience as the last guests were leaving the NYMA campus. “People plan these events for months,” he said. “We pulled it off in three days.”
Donald Trump landed on the NYMA campus at 1:30 p.m., his helicopter digging a rut in the parade grounds. A car took the Republican front runner to the side entrance of the administration building. And as he passed a young family, he smiled at the kids and flashed a “thumbs up” sign.
A few minutes later, he addressed the 200 ticket holders who were clustered in front of the administration building steps. A barrier kept them from getting close to the candidate.
David Field, a former NYMA president, introduced Mr. Trump, who drew both laughs and cheers during a brief address. He said that while some candidates urge you to vote no matter who you’re supporting, he wouldn’t play that game. If you’re not voting for Trump, he joked, it’s OK to stay home.
Mr. Trump asked his former coach and lifetime friend, Ted Dobias, to step up to the microphone. Mr. Dobias, now 90 years old, kept his remarks brief. “You’re listening to a damn fine person,” he said.
Security was tight. Someone observed that “NYMA had more suits than a department store.” There were several secret service people plus local police, state police and members of the sheriff department. In all, sixty officers arrived on the campus for breakfast and stayed till after the helicopter shuttled the candidate to a rally in Poughkeepsie.
Officers checked tickets and IDs, and guests had to empty their pockets before entering the quadrangle. An officer with a rifle watched the proceedings from the top of the academic building.
David Field, who provided the introduction, said that Mr. Trump had promised to visit his alma mater before the campaign was over. This was the first time he had a chance to keep his promise. Mr. Field was part of small group who stood behind Mr. Trump while he spoke. The others were NYMA President Anthony Desa, County Legislator Kevin Hines, and Ted and Shirley Dobias.
During his brief visit, Mr. Trump didn’t see the protesters on the other side of Academy Avenue. There were six people with signs on the corner of Main Street. One of the more creative signs read “We shall overcomb.”
The photo of Donald Trump was submitted by Lori Dobias
