Former Secret Service Special Agent Dennis Schlindwein was our special guest speaker this eveining. He spoke mainly about his 25 year career as a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service. Dennis was quite engaging and entertaining.
He acknowledged that people often say that when they meet him in person they say things like “you are not what I was expecting.” So he shared some photographs of what people think of when the think about Secret Service agents like James Bond (007) and others. Not surprisingly, the expectations are not exactly accurate.
Then he highlighted the history of the organization informing us of the two-fold responsibility of an agent: federal criminal investigations and dignitary protection of several groups both national and international. We learned about the origins of the Secret Service back in 1865 and what the original purpose was as well as how things changed over the years. Initially, it was started to fight counterfeit money. Then, after multiple presidential assassinations, it expanded to protecting the President. Over time it was expanded to include computer fraud, telecommunications fraud, vice presidents, candidates, and more.
He provided several specific examples of his assignments with U.S. Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates for those offices as well as my times with former President Carter.
At the conclusion of the speech he answered several audience questions, including some regarding the recent assassination attempt on Former President Trump. There was some discussion about the weapons issued over the years as well. Dennis said he carried a .357 Magnum back then. He also passed around his badge for us to look at.
Unfortunately, there was not sufficient time for him to get to the really interesting stories. He said he has dome some 3 hour presentations before which included those. The club was very receptive to the presentation and I am sure, given more time, we could have interacted even more.
He also took the opportunity to introduce his two books, especially the autobiography Remarkably Unremarkable and sold several copies of the book to members of the group. He also told us the story of where the headline came from. I wonder if that is in the book or if you would need to invite him to tell you? Dennis can be reached by email at dschlindwein@nc.rr.com.
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