LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Former President Jimmy Carter is no stranger to the Wyoming Valley. He spoke at the Wyoming Monument in 2013 and is no stranger to local presidential historian Dr. Larry Cook, either.
"We had a lot of people show up, and it was really a big deal for our area to have our 39th president speak there," said Cook.
This friendship took him from Plains Township, Pennsylvania, to Plains, Georgia, the small farming town where Jimmy Carter grew up. Cook is currently there celebrating the former president's 100th birthday with the Carters.
"Actually, President Carter made us honorary citizens here several years ago. And we come here normally three or four times a year and have done that since we've been friends with the Carters for the past 20 years," added Cook in an interview from Plains, Georgia.
The former president stayed with Cook and his wife multiple times at their home in Dallas. And that wasn't the only time Carter came to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
"I remember going to the airport, picking him up, and driving him down to Pittston for a rally," said Ralph Schwartz.
President Carter spoke at Pittston Area High School while campaigning for reelection in 1980 in Luzerne County.
Ralph Schwartz rode with President Carter while working as the business agent for the Operating Engineers, Local 542.
"I had my arm around him. There was a fella sitting in the back seat with us. I don't know if he was Secret Service, FBI, or what. Anyway, he was there and pushing us over a little bit, so I had my arm around him," said Schwartz.
Newswatch 16's Melissa Steininger grew up listening to this very same story, as Ralph Schwartz is her grandfather. Nearly 45 years later, he can still recall that very day in Pittston.
"As there a lot of people there?" asked Melissa. "No, he was a little disappointed," said Ralph.
It was a sign of what was to come, as Carter lost that re-election to Ronald Reagan just about three weeks later.
However, during his time out of the Oval Office, some of Carter's best-known work was as a philanthropist rather than a politician.
"If you follow his example in life, you see how to be a better person. He's an example that everyone should follow," said Cook.
A legacy that will live on in our country well beyond President Jimmy Carter's 100 years of life.