Nancy Reagan's rehearsal dinners and Bush Sr's overfed dog: chief usher's White House memories

As a chief usher, Gary Walters spent nearly four decades tending to the domestic needs of seven U.S. presidents, including Reagan and Bush Sr., who famously suffered from weight-related health issues. One often-overlooked story, however, is about a pre-rehearsal dinner for Nancy Reagan and the peculiar canine companion that Bush Sr.'s team had to rein in.

When it comes to presidential pets, Walters' team took on the task of ensuring their comfort, including providing treats for Bush Sr.'s large dog, Ranger. At one point, Bush sent out a memo reminding staff not to overfeed Ranger due to his weight issues. Despite this directive, staff members still indulged the pup, making sure it remained happy and content.

Another notable story involves Walters' experience with Clinton's desire to maintain a jogging routine while living in the White House. To accommodate this need, Walters worked with the National Park Service to create a synthetic turf jogging track around the South Roadway, allowing Clinton to continue his exercise regimen.

Walters has also reflected on his time during the September 11 attacks, when he was present at the White House as Bush prepared for a congressional picnic. With the news of another hijacked plane emerging, Walters and his remaining staff quickly dismantled the event setup, clearing the lawn to make way for Marine One to land.

A lesser-known aspect of Walters' tenure is the alleged paranormal activity reported by some White House staff members. While Walters never witnessed such occurrences himself, he notes that a few employees reported experiencing unusual phenomena in certain areas of the building, including the Lincoln Bedroom.

I'm low-key fascinated by Gary Walters' story As someone who's had their fair share of weird White House experiences (mostly just the usual ghostly stuff), it's cool to see a chief usher with a more... let's say, 'relaxed' approach . I mean, who doesn't love indulging a pup every now and then? And Clinton's synthetic turf track? Genius! I would've loved to have seen that during my own jogging days. The 90s were all about fitness, after all . What I find interesting is how Walters' approach might've been influenced by the personality of Bush Sr. Maybe he was just a really chill dude who wanted his pup to be happy?

OMG YOU GUYS I JUST READ THIS ARTICLE ABOUT GARY WALTERS THE FORMER CHIEF USHER TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND IT'S SO COOL!!! HE WORKED WITH SEVEN DIFFERENT PRESIDENTS INCLUDING REAGAN AND BUSH SR AND DID ALL SORTS OF FUN THINGS LIKE GETTING THEM TREATS FOR THEIR PETS AND SETTING UP JOGGING TRACKS FOR CLINTON. I MEAN WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT?! IT'S ALSO KIND OF CRAZY HOW HE WAS THERE DURING THE 9/11 ATTACKS AND HAD TO CLEAR OUT THE WHITE HOUSE IN RECORD TIME. AND THE PARANORMAL ACTIVITY THING IS JUST LIKE WOW WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON IN THAT BUILDING?!

I feel bad for Gary Walters, he's had to deal with so much stress and drama while working as chief usher I mean, can you imagine having to rein in Bush Sr's giant dog Ranger? Poor guy was trying to stay healthy but the staff just couldn't resist those puppy eyes . On a more serious note, it's crazy to think about how Walters had to clear the lawn so Marine One could land during the 9/11 attacks . As for the paranormal activity, I don't know what to believe or not but it's definitely interesting to hear from someone who was there firsthand .

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of the White House having its own team for pets . I mean, who knew our president's furry friends had such important needs? It's crazy to think that Reagan and Bush Sr. were struggling with health issues, but their pets were the ones getting all the attention from Walters' team.

It's also wild to think about how staff would just wing it with Ranger, the Bush Sr.'s dog . Like, "oh, don't worry, we'll just give him treats till he's happy". Meanwhile, Clinton is over here trying to stay fit and Walter's team is hooking up a jogging track in the middle of the White House lawn .

And what about those paranormal reports? I'm not buying it, but at the same time, can you imagine being stuck in that environment for years with all these weird stories going around?

I think its wild to consider how many weird and wonderful moments must've happened at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave over the years. Like, I can imagine Bush Sr's team trying to rein in that big dog Ranger... its almost like a real-life episode of "The Secret Life of Pets" . And who knew Clinton was such an avid jogger? I mean, I get it, exercise is important, but a synthetic turf track around the WH lawn? That's just too cool . And yeah, Walters' story about the paranormal activity in the White House... I'm all ears . What do you think? Do you believe in ghosts?

OMG I MEAN WHAT A COOL JOB GARY WALTERS HAD!!! i cant even imagine tending to all those presidents and their pets he must've seen so much behind-the-scenes action its crazy that bush sr had a dog named ranger and was worried about him being overweight lol but also aww what a great guy for wanting to make sure his pup stayed happy and healthy meanwhile clinton's jogging track is low-key the best thing ever who knew the national park service got involved in white house renovations? that's some dedicated stuff right there

So, you know what's wild? The stories about presidential pets and how their humans always manage to find ways to indulge them... I mean, it's like they have a special pass to overfeeding . Like, Bush Sr.'s team knew he was overweight but still made sure Ranger got all the treats. And then there's Clinton jogging around the White House... who needs fresh air when you can get a synthetic turf track, right? It's like they're trying to outdo each other in the 'most indulgent human' category .

And let's not forget about the paranormal activity . I mean, it's not like Walters was there or anything... but hey, who needs facts when you've got ghost stories? The Lincoln Bedroom, huh? Sounds like the perfect spot for some spooky shenanigans . Anyway, it's just another day in the life of a chief usher... trying to keep up with the whims of their human overlords

I wonder if anyone has ever thought about how hard it must've been for Gary Walters to keep up with all those presidents and their pets I mean, imagine having to remember what treats Ranger liked and not wanting to overfeed him because of his weight issues... it's amazing he kept it together all those years. And then there's the jogging track for Clinton - genius! Who knew the National Park Service would be part of the White House staff team? Walters' story is so interesting and gives you a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

The thing is, you'd think having pets in the White House would be super low-key, right? But nope! I mean, those dogs and cats are like part of the family, but still... Bush Sr.'s team had to keep a close eye on Ranger's treats. That just goes to show that even with the highest security, there's always room for a little indulgence. And Clinton's jogging track? Genius! Who needs a boring old treadmill when you can have a mini park right in your backyard? But what really gets me is the paranormal stuff... I mean, Walters didn't believe it or anything, but still, that's some wild stories. You'd think it's all just rumors and hearsay, but I guess you never know what goes on behind closed doors...

I mean... I'm not sure if I should be surprised or not, but apparently George Bush Sr.'s dog Ranger was literally a fat cat . Like, who expects their dog to gain weight when it's already a large breed? At least the staff were trying to keep him happy, though. It's weird that Bush sent out a memo about it, though - I guess he didn't want Ranger getting too comfy .

And Clinton jogging on a synthetic turf track around the South Roadway... that sounds like a total waste of resources . I mean, who needs a mini-golf course in the middle of Washington D.C.? On the other hand, it's great that he could get his exercise routine going - at least he was staying active.

The paranormal stuff is super interesting, though... I don't know if I believe it or not . It's definitely weird that some staff members reported seeing ghostly activity in certain areas of the White House. Maybe Walters should've kept a Ghost-Hunting Journal or something

lol I just read about this so cool chief usher Gary Walters did some insane jobs like creating a synthetic turf jogging track for Clinton to jog around and making sure Bush Sr's dog Ranger was happy and healthy even though he had weight issues . and can you believe the stuff that went down on 9/11? I mean, dismantling a congressional picnic just so Marine One could land is wild . and yeah, some staff members reported seeing weird stuff like paranormal activity in the Lincoln Bedroom but Walters never saw it himself guess you gotta take the good with the bad when working at the White House .

I gotta say, this is all pretty fascinating stuff But what really stood out to me is how important it is to respect boundaries, even when we want to make our furry friends happy Like, yes, give Ranger treats and belly rubs, but also remember that Bush Sr. was dealing with some serious health issues - it's all about finding that balance, you know? And on a broader note, I think this story highlights the importance of communication and accountability in the workplace It's easy to get caught up in trying to make everyone happy, but sometimes it's necessary to set limits and prioritize what's best for everyone involved

just read about Gary Walters' time as chief usher and it's like they're saying our healthcare system is messed up because Bush Sr had weight issues but what about all the staff who were tempted to overfeed Ranger despite the memo? still no info on how Clinton's jogging track was funded and can we talk about the 911 situation for a sec? clearing the lawn just so Marine One could land without being a total disaster lastly, paranormal activity in the White House? sounds like some stuff for a horror movie, not real life...