From one author to another, 'Thank you, Mr. Hill'

On Saturday, I received in the mail a book that I have been anticipating since its existence was announced earlier this year.

The book, "My Travels With Mrs. Kennedy," is by a man who has lived a life very few get to experience: Clint Hill, U.S. Secret Service, retired.

Mr. Hill, as I will call him out of respect, served under five presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He was specifically the protecting agent for first lady Jackie Kennedy.

He had a distinguished career that spanned three decades, and, until a decade ago, was a very private person, trying to forget the few seconds of his life that tied him forever to Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963.

Mr. Hill was the agent who, as the shots rang out in Dealey Plaza when the Kennedys traveled by motorcade, ran to their aid. He leaped from a moving followup vehicle, threaded between that car and a police motorcycle, overtook the followup car and bolted toward the presidential limousine as it accelerated when President Kennedy was killed. He managed to grab the agent handle on the back as the limousine sped off to the hospital. In the home movies and still pictures, there is Mr. Hill, splayed across the back of the limousine as a human shield.

Mr. Hill was honored for his courage and efforts that day, accolades with which he struggled. He didn't feel like a hero, he said in later interviews. He said he didn't deserve praise for his superhuman sprint to the presidential limousine. All he could think of was not being able to prevent the president's death. His social media accounts are filled with words that consider him a hero who responded in crisis and against all odds.

There is much more to Mr. Hill than those few moments 59 years ago. With his co-author, now wife, Lisa McCubbin Hill, he has found some healing in sharing his life in the U.S. Secret Service, some stories that no one else knew about; some humorous, some tragic. In "My Travels With Mrs. Kennedy," the reader is taken on domestic and international trips with Mrs. Kennedy, seen through forgotten photos tucked in a trunk and rediscovered in 2019 by the Hills.

The first lady was an ambassador to the world. She traveled on behalf of the president or accompanied him to places all over the globe. One step behind her along the way was her personal agent, Clinton J. Hill. Because of his job, he saw the world, and many moments were captured in photographs. The book is his tribute to Mrs. Kennedy: her poise, talents, social graces, multilingual capabilities and more. Very few knew Mrs. Kennedy the way he did. Very few saw the personal and private moments, the Mrs. Kennedy who could be herself away from the media; still graceful, still kind and compassionate, but without the prying eyes and pressure. Their relationship was professional: He called her "Mrs. Kennedy," and she always called him "Mr. Hill." When he provided assistance to her, she would kindly respond, "Thank you, Mr. Hill."

I've had the privilege of sharing a few words with the Hills over the past few years. They were kind enough to personalize their previous books to me. On Oct. 20, out of the blue, Lisa sent me a photo of the "Travels" book they had co-personalized. In Clint's handwriting: "For Dan Cherry, author of all things Addison and Manitou Beach," followed by their signatures in gold permanent pen.

As an author who has interviewed people about happy and tragic times in life, I have a deep, personal appreciation for what Mr. Hill has done, not only for himself, but for the world. He didn't have to write the books. He has said the experiences of sharing his stories are therapeutic. His books are historical treasures. His kindness to not only co-sign my copies but to tip his hat as one author to another, I can only think of one way to express my gratitude:

"Thank you, Mr. Hill."

Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: 'My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy' by Clint Hill