Taking a look back at late former President Jimmy Carter’s trip to the EAA grounds

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) - Former President Jimmy Carter is also being remembered here in Wisconsin.

This includes a visit to the EAA grounds in 1987.

Former President Jimmy Carter’s first and only visit to the EAA grounds came in April of 1987, when the organization’s founder Paul Poberezny, was asked to bring Carter to the area as part of a deal to speak at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

“They flew from Oshkosh down to Georgia, picked up Jimmy Carter, came back to Oshkosh and as they were landing at Wittman Regional Airport, Paul happens to circle the EAA facility, which at that time was only about three years old and say well that’s our museum, I know you’re a former naval officer, we have some Navy airplanes there, would you like to see, and Jimmy Carter said, yes I would,” Dick Knapinski, EAA Spokesperson said.

EAA spokesperson, Dick Knapinski says the visit by the former President was recorded by a video production team, as Carter met with Poberezny, his son, and other members of the organization while touring the world-famous aviation museum.

“It was a big deal. Anytime you can get a former President of the United States there, it is certainly something that’s rather historic,” Knapinski said.

Knapinski says he remembers Poberezny, who passed away himself in 2013, talking about the honor of hosting Carter, who was extremely kind to everyone he met.

“He said he was a very gracious man. He was certainly interested in the museum. He had great things to say about the facility, and spent a lot of time with the EAA staff there at the time, who turned out to meet him, when you find out a former President of the United States is there, it’s a pretty big deal,” Knapinski said.

Carter’s visit to EAA, also came within a year and a half of another visit, by former President George HW Bush.