Behind the walls of East Lyme Middle School, former U.S. Air Force Major Glenn Penkofflidbeck helps fifth and sixth graders boost their science intelligence.
But in 1989, he provided a different kind of intelligence to then-President George H.W. Bush.
"'Glenn, can you come to the White House for a meeting with the President?' And of course I said 'yes,'" said Penkofflidbeck, recalling the phone call he got before the meeting.
Penkofflidbeck was an intelligence officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency at the time. The meeting with the president was after Marine Col. William Higgins, a member of a United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon was kidnapped and murdered, according to Penkofflidbeck.
"[President Bush] thanked us for coming – thanking us – I felt privileged to be serving and helping," Penkofflidbeck said.
But it was something else that surprised him.
"(Bush) went around and said 'I’d like each of you to tell me what you would do if you were the president about this situation starting with you, Glenn.' He referred to me by my first name and I was so taken aback inside,” Penkofflidbeck said.
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The meeting was classified. Penkofflidbeck doesn’t have a memento of the experience. But he does have the memories and a newspaper clipping that references that Bush held the meetings in the Cabinet Room.
Penkofflidbeck credits the late president for his thoughtful decision-making, use of intelligence and his dedication to the country over the years.
"I thought periodically of writing and thanking him for service. Just saying, 'Hey, I don’t know if you remember that time I was called to the White House and was talking to you. I hope I gave you good advice.'"
