November 20, 2025

"In the six-day run-up to the 1992 George and Barbara Bush's presidential visit to the Holly Hotel, the Secret Service had intentionally designated different areas of the building for specific use. Twenty guests of the President and Barbara Bush would dine on the second floor in the Circassian Room (later renamed the "President's Room.) My office on the second floor had been equipped with two new, dedicated telephone lines and two handsets on my desk. The request was to just have chilled water and soft drinks in the office.

"The Carry Nation Room, also on the second floor, was for members of the White House staff and officials, as well as RNC representatives. Our Main Dining Room on the first floor was reserved for members of the press corps covering the campaign. Both rooms had soup, sandwiches, and salad options with another table filled with 'grab-and-go" sandwiches. The Depot Room was designated as a "break room" for the Secret Service with small sandwiches, coffee, cold beverages, and light desserts and cookies.

"It wasn't until after the formal lunch that I noticed one gentleman had occupied my office throughout the visit. During the departures, the occupant left my office, and I, realizing he had been there for many hours, asked him if he had a chance to eat. He smiled and said he had not, but asked if he could have a ham sandwich to go. Our kitchen promptly filled the request, and I handed him his ham sandwich as he left. He smiled, nodded, and said thanks as he disappeared out the door.

"Not knowing who he was, it wasn't until everyone was gone that the Secret Service told me the man was Dick Cheney. Mr. Cheney had spent the entire time on the secure telephone during the visit. Cheney was the Secretary of Defense at the time and rarely campaigned with President Bush but was often in the background for many events.

"He served as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. His tenure is often called the most powerful vice presidency in American history, with many pundits and historians even arguing that he was the first vice president to be more powerful than the president. A member of the Republican Party, Cheney previously served as White House chief of staff for President Gerald Ford, the U.S. representative from Wyoming from 1979 to 1989, and as the 17th United States secretary of defense in the administration of President George H. W. Bush.

"But on September 27, 1992, the appeal of a simple ham sandwich to Mr. Cheney was a testament to the idea that sometimes, less is more, and the focus is on a few core ingredients rather than a complex recipe."