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.
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.
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? 
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 
. As for the paranormal activity, I don't know what to believe or not 
.
. 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 yeah, Walters' story about the paranormal activity in the White House... I'm all ears 
. What do you think? Do you believe in ghosts?
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? 
. 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 
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? 
And Clinton's jogging track? Genius! Who needs a boring old treadmill when you can have a mini park right in your backyard? 
. 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 
.
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 
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? 