A Letter to NCSS from Lynda Johnson Robb

The Honorary Chair of the 2008 Ball and  guest of honor was the 1961 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen, Betsy Howard Jefferson.  Betsy was 19 when the wheel stopped on Kentucky, the state she represented.  On April 11, Betsy returned to the NCSS Grand Ball to spin the wheel for the First Runner Up, Elinor Rushforth of New Mexico.  On the night in 1961 when Betsy was chosen as Queen, she was asked for the first dance by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.  Lynda Bird Johnson, daughter of the vice president, is shown on this page in a black and white photo presenting flowers to Betsy.  Betsy is also pictured in a color photo as she looks today wearing the Mikimoto pearls she received in 1961.  While Mrs. Lynda Johnson Robb, a former First Lady of Virginia, could not attend this year's ball to recreate that 1961 moment, she did send a warm and gracious letter to all the guests at the NCSS Ball.  Here is the full text of that letter which was addressed to the MC of the ball:

Andrea Roane

News Anchor for WUSA9

Dear Andrea and Friends:

I regret my schedule prevents being with you all tonight as you celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of the Princess Program.  As a former cherry blossom princess for the Texas State Society (let’s not be specific on dates, but just stick with “former”) I have wonderful memories of that time when my father was Vice President and agreed to spin the Wheel of Fortune.  The Wheel stopped on Kentucky and I presented flowers to Betsy Howard before Daddy asked her for the first dance.  I am so pleased tht Betsy is with you tonight as Honorary Chair and I thank you for sending me pictures from that long ago evening.

 

Spring in Washington, DC is a special season, particularly because of the cherry blossoms that adorn the trees donated to America by Japan as a symbol of goodwill.  The blossoms help us enjoy the beauty of nature, something you know was so important to Mother.  The blossoms also continue to promote goodwill between our two countries year after year.  The 60^th anniversary of the Princess program is a testament to the continued success of that goodwill mission and I’m proud to have been a participant. My best wishes to Betsy and to all the former and current cherry blossom princesses from the embassies and across the United States. I hope you enjoy the parade on Saturday and am sure you have had a wonderful week of getting to know each other and sharing a little of your own local goodwill with your fellow princesses.

   

With warm regards,

Lynda Johnson Robb