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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, October 27, 2003

Hawai'i agent guarded presidents

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

The three framed certificates hanging on an office corner wall facing the desk of Secret Service agent Sam Tong confirm that he is among the select few who have ever flown with the president of the United States aboard Air Force One.

Sam Tong, head of the Secret Service's Honolulu office, traveled to every continent except Antarctica in 4 1/2 years.

Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Tong, a former Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawai'i football player, received the certificates — along with two others acknowledging travel aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One — during his 4 1/2- year assignment protecting presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Although Tong traveled many times aboard Air Force One and Marine One, certificates are awarded only after the first flight, he said. He received one certificate each for travel with Reagan and Bush and a third for his first flight with Bush aboard the new Boeing 747 Air Force One that replaced the Boeing 707 jet in 1990.

Tong, 49, has been with the Secret Service for 22 years.

As assistant to the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Hawai'i office, Tong observed George W. Bush's visit to Hawai'i last week from a distance in a supervisory role. In October 1990 and December 1991 when the president's father came here, Tong's assignments included protection and advance logistical planning.

Tong traveled to Tokyo recently to help the advance team plan for President Bush's stay in Japan and saw former President Bush, who is referred to as "41" by White House staff to distinguish him from his son, "43." The numbers signify their order in the line of the presidency.

"He's the proudest father," Tong said of the senior Bush.

From his time spent with the Bush family in the early 1990s, Tong observed that they were always cordial and friendly, whether at the White House or in the privacy of Camp David. Agents assigned to protection work shifts around the clock, so "you get to see their human side," said Tong.

"They're a quality family," Tong added. "I was so impressed with them. Father and son are so much alike in their mannerisms and attention to detail.

"Forty-one was a person who knew many of the world leaders well enough that he could pick up the phone and say, 'I need a favor,' to any one of them," Tong said. "He's an extremely gifted person who knew how to recognize people."

On one of his visits here, former President Bush decided to go for a swim while walking on the beach. What turned out to be a great photo opportunity for the media was not a surprise, Tong said.

"We did have advance notice," Tong recalled. "He told us he was going to swim 10 minutes before he did it."

Tong's 4 1/2 years of presidential protection duty took him to every continent except Antarctica.

One of his most treasured memories is standing on the side of a stage fronting the Berlin Wall in 1987 and hearing President Reagan say, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

"Right there, you felt like you were living history," said Tong.

Two years later, the wall did come down.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.