Diary Entry - 01/11/1985
Key Facts
President Reagan learns from a Swiss newspaper that the US Ambassador to Switzerland John Lodge had been fired.
President Reagan travels to Camp David for the weekend.
It’s go to Camp David day & everything is covered with snow. We’ve had word 3 of our G.I.’s in Germany were killed & 16 injured when a rocket engine from Pershing missile burst into flames while being unloaded from a truck.
Somehow things here had a staff “snafu.” Faith Whittlesey is returning to Switzerland as Ambas. but no one told me that John Lodge, present Ambas. was more or less summarily fired & learned of it through a news leak in a Swiss paper. He of course is hurt & upset. I didn’t know, nor did George S. that this action had been taken.
The day was light—a couple of photo opps. & my meeting with George S.—then an interview with 2 young ladies from People Mag. I hope I didn’t give them any chances to sensationalize.
Off to Camp David—which turned out to be a little deeper in Snow than Wash. & a h--l of a lot colder.
