Presidential Papers, Doc#422 To Edward John Bermingham, 19 September 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Doc #423

Document #422; September 19, 1953
To Edward John Bermingham
Series: EM, AWF, Name Series
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part III: The Space Age Begins; October 1957 to January 1958
Chapter 6: Building strength when there is "no perfect answer"

 

Dear Ed: I have your note dated the fifteenth about Bob Schulz and one of my security men coming to Enon to look over the facilities.1

Please don't look upon my expressed hope of holding out the week of December fifteenth as a possibility for a trip to Alabama as a definite prediction that I can come. There are dozens of things to consider--official duties, preoccupations and desires of my family, including Mamie, John and Barbie, the health of the children, and so on. So, much as I, at this moment, could go into rhapsodies over the prospect of again enjoying the hospitality of Enon Plantation, and of being with you and Kay, we have got to keep all of this business in the state of "hazy hope" rather than that of anticipated accomplishment.2

Subject to these reservations, I would know of no reason why the kind of trip you suggest could not later be made by one of my security men, as sort of a precautionary measure against the possibility that we can come. Anyway, it was wonderful of both of you to want us, particularly with all the impediments that now seem to cling to us whenever we move. And who knows--it is just possible that it might work out.

Also, I have your note about the elbow and have given it to Dr. Snyder. I was disappointed to read, in the exposition, that one of these tennis elbows is really never cured. One thing is certain--I shall not be using X-Ray on it.3 As ever

1 Bermingham had written to ask if Presidential Aide Robert L. Schulz and a "principal security man" could visit Enon Farm, his summer residence in Midway, Alabama, to plan for an Eisenhower family visit in December. "Your welcoming committee will be John, Barbara and your grandchildren," he wrote. "What fun it will be to have the three little ones on a farm" (Bermingham Papers).

2 For background on the Eisenhowers' previous visits to Enon Farm see Eisenhower Papers, vols. X-XIII. As it turned out, the Eisenhowers, their son, and his family would vacation in Augusta, Georgia, November 24-29 (President's daily appointments). For developments see no. 480.

3 Bermingham had sent Eisenhower a physician's report on radio-humeral bursitis, or tennis elbow, its symptoms, and treatments (Sept. 15, 1953, AWF/N). On October 26 Bermingham would write that after further inquiry, the physician had explained that "the condition . . . can be permanently cured--and quickly." A fuller explanation was sent to Snyder, who was currently treating the injured elbow (Bermingham Papers). For background see no. 400.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Edward John Bermingham, 19 September 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 422. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/422.cfm

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