Conversation 841-013

President Nixon met with veteran journalist Willard Edwards and his wife to congratulate them on their 50th wedding anniversary and present them with gifts. Following a brief photo session with White House photographer Ollie Atkins, the conversation turned toward the political climate surrounding the recent Vietnam peace settlement. Nixon expressed satisfaction with the terms of the agreement, noting that critics who previously demanded peace were now frustrated by the administration's successful conclusion of the conflict.

Willard EdwardsWedding AnniversaryVietnam Peace SettlementPublic OpinionPresidential Photography

On January 24, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Willard Edwards, Mrs. Willard Edwards, and Oliver F. ("Ollie") Atkins met in the Oval Office of the White House from 6:13 pm to 6:15 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 841-013 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 841-13

Date: January 24, 1973
Time: Between 6:13 pm and 6:16 pm
                                               -15-

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Mar.-09)

                                                           Conversation No. 841-13 (cont’d)

Location: Oval Office

The President met with Willard Edwards, Mrs. Willard Edwards and Ronald L. Ziegler; The
White House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.

       Willard Edwards

       The President's schedule
            -Cabinet meeting

       Congratulations on 50th wedding anniversary

       Photographs

       Presentation of gifts by President

       Lyndon B. Johnson funeral

       Vietnam settlement
            -Terms
            -Herbert L. Block

Edwards, et al. left at 6:16 pm.

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Well, how are you?
How are you?
Well, how are you?
How are you?
Good to see you.
Well, just will you get me an excuse to get off a cab with me?
Really?
That's marvelous.
Oh, I haven't eaten in years.
50th anniversary.
Oh, great.
All right.
And I'll be congratulating you on your retirement.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's right.
That's right.
I remember that.
What's that?
I don't know.
I don't know.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I can just see them.
people, you know, that have swilled the most about Vietnam and said, we want peace, we want peace, now are furious.
They're frustrated.
They died.
Well, they died because we did.
They said, we're going to have to walk out.
So what do we have?
We've got everything.
What if the hair block won't do again?
I'll see you.
Yeah, bye-bye.