Cold crowd warms to visit

PITTSTON TWP. – They came to get a glimpse, perhaps a photograph. Thirty area residents left the Wilkes-Barre%2FScranton+International+Airport%22>Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport with those and then some, including autographs, handshakes and an experience they’ll never forget.

Braving the unseasonably cold temperatures and a brisk wind, the Hillary Clinton for President supporters pressed against the chain-link fence separating the tarmac from the airport’s parking area Monday afternoon. Some gathered two hours in advance of Clinton’s projected landing time of 3 p.m. The airplane was late, but thanks to Christopher Dolan, a 16-year-old from Olyphant, those gathered knew she wouldn’t be on time.

Using an Internet site that tracks airplanes and his i-Phone, the Holy Cross High School student kept telling his fellow Clinton supporters how far away the New York senator was.

Finally, at 3:17 p.m., the airplane touched down and the movable steps were rolled out to the plane’s rear door.

The cold but re-energized crowd unfurled signs, turned on digital cameras and huddled as close to the fence as they could to catch a view of the woman they hope will occupy the White House at this time next year.

The door opened and members of the national media pool covering Clinton’s campaign began disembarking, followed by some Clinton staffers. After a brief minute or two without anyone appearing in the doorway, some talk began among those gathered that perhaps Clinton was on another plane or had already exited out of view. Then she appeared at 3:28 in a brown pantsuit and an unbuttoned overcoat with a pink scarf blowing in the breeze. The crowd cheered, yelled “We love you Hillary” and “Welcome home.”

She waved back and walked down the steps toward a waiting gray Chevrolet Suburban with an open rear passenger side door. But instead of getting into the vehicle she buttoned her coat and wrapped her scarf around her neck and made her way to the fence.

Secret Service agents hustled to take unexpected positions near the crowd and the national media members grabbed their cameras and scurried toward the unplanned meet-and-greet.

Saying hello as she walked along the fence, she stopped and posed for pictures, chatted with supporters and signed some autographs.

Grace Nolan, of Avoca, asked Clinton in an almost school-girl tone, “Can I touch you?”

Nolan walked away with a grin, but not before telling Clinton she believed the time had come for a woman president.

While Nolan and others walked away with a memory, others walked away with a memento and a tale to tell.

Spencer Biancucci, 11, of Clarks Summit, came to the airport with his mother and two siblings to drop off a relative who was flying back to North Carolina. He noticed the throng of people and television cameras and asked his mother, Jennifer, what was going on. She told him about Clinton’s visit and they agreed to park and stay and see if they could see the former first lady.

Two hours later he did more than see her. He walked away with an autograph and a story to tell his classmates at Abington Heights Middle School.

“I told Spencer we had to stay because a historical event was happening. I’m glad we waited in the cold,” she said, while keeping an eye on daughter Ella, 2, and infant son Max, 9 months.

It was the the Biancuccis’ first time seeing a presidential candidate up close and in person, but for others gathered, they’re used to seeing politicians in their back yard.

Ed and Rose Carlin made the five-minute walk from their Lloyd Street home in Avoca. They did the same to see Bill Clinton when he was campaigning for president and they saw President George W. Bush when he made a stop a few years back. But they say the visit by Hillary was “special.”

Helen Brogan, a fellow Avoca resident, agreed. She said she came to “see history in the making.” Clutching a Hillary for President placard, she said that being a woman and having ties to Northeast Pennsylvania were “plusses.” Clinton had her support because of her experience and intelligence.

While most of those gathered to greet Clinton were unabashed supporters, one man from Dallas said he entered the day undecided between Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, her opponent seeking the Democratic nomination for president. The Pennsylvania primary will be held April 22 and will be important in helping to decide the race.

Tom Todesco said he came to the airport for the chance to see Clinton up close and personal. He said he left having a change of heart and mind.

“I like them both and I think they’d both make great presidents, but she was friendly and personable and I like that she came over to talk to us,” he said. “I’d say she’s getting my vote.”

Clinton finally got into the Suburban at about 3:45, waved to the crowd through a window and was on her way to Old Forge for pizza and to Scranton for a campaign rally.

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