Larry Little, who worked for the White House Communications Agency, shared memories of the late former President Jimmy Carter. WHCA provided the entirety of the President’s communications, and was run by military in civilian clothes. “From the time they took office until they left, they never talked on any phone that did not go through the White House switchboard.”

Little, an army warrant officer, described his role. “It was my responsibility as a trip officer to make sure that he had everything. And it was kind of extensive what they did. We brought a switch board. We brought a radio system.” He gave examples of the types of services they had to provide. “We provided the phones for them. We provided the messages and the secure communication. We provided secure voice in the motorcades.”

WHCA would also do announcements, though Carter made some changes. “Before you did announcements, you’d have ruffles and flourishes, and then they’d play hail to the President. They would play certain music and it was always the same. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.’” Carter found the address too impersonal. “He had us say, when we did announcements; ‘ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, Jimmy Carter.’ He liked to use that name, and he did with everybody, Jimmy Carter.”

One trip that strongly impressed Little was taken by Carter shortly after the failed rescue mission to save the 52 hostages taken by Iran. “There were many people, military people, mostly Marines, that were damaged or killed, and many of them were wounded, and they were at the burn center in San Antonia Texas.” Carter wanted to see the patients. “The doctor told him that they had a couple of rooms that he could go visit, and he said he wanted to see all of them. Some of were very, very badly wounded and the doctors discouraged him from going, but he went and saw every one of them.”

Little also recounted several fishing trips that stretched the ability of WHCA to keep the President connected. “He went on a week-long trip floating down the Salmon River.” He told how Carter kept the agency working hard. “He was always challenging us, because he was an outdoor person, and he would go out there, and it doesn’t matter where they are, they’ve got to have all that communication.”

He recalled another rafting trip Carter took on the Snake River. “Idaho all the way to St. Louis as I recall.” Little described the set-up. “He’s on a raft, and we have people on the raft with radios, and they’re with him. Then he would stop along campsites along the river, and then every day he’d float back down.” Little stated it was especially challenging. “He just stretched our technology. It was amazing.”

Little also remarked on Carter’s work ethic. “He never lowered his standards, and he gave 100% of everything, and he expected others to be on time.” Little has a high regard for Carter’s character. “I never saw any place in all the four years that I had access where I doubted any integrity ever.”

Little was able to visit the President lying in repose at The Carter Center with other WHCA members. “We were able to have a bit of a private time there.” They saluted the former President. “We said farewell to him.”