A Brookhaven family was given a memory they won’t forget Tuesdaywhen they were able to meet President George W. Bush and join theranks of the few who were able to step aboard Air Force One.

President George W. Bush was in Mississippi Tuesday to tout hisplan to reform Social Security. He spoke to about 2,000 peopleduring a brief visit at the Nissan plant in Canton.

Rob and Rosie Oates and their children Rob Jr., 26, Reuben, 21,and Liz Anne, 18, were afforded the rare opportunity to tour theworld’s most famous, and secure, aircraft while the president wasgiving his speech.

“It wasn’t what you would expect,” said Liz Anne Oates. “Itwasn’t like royalty – how you would expect them to have it. Ithought it was really nice in quality, but not as extravagant as Ithought it would be.”

Oates, a Brookhaven High School senior who works part-time atThe DAILY LEADER, said she expected the plane to be more luxuriousin its decorations and more richly appropriated.

Instead, she said, it was very nicely attired, but was notfestooned with gold gilding and other ornate decorations.

It was not, however, like other aircraft, Oates said.

It had many features unique to the president’s needs. Whilespace in most aircraft is filled with seats, Air Force One alsofeatures a conference room, operating room, two kitchen areas, abedroom with its own bathroom and a communications room.

Despite being home to one of the world’s most well-equippedcommunications systems, the command center of Air Force One was”really small,” Oates said.

One feature she said they did not see but sounded veryinteresting was a shower, the first one on an airplane.

“I feel privileged to have been given the chance to see it,”Oates said. “It was an honor. It’s definitely a story for thegrandkids.”

The honors were not done coming, however. When the presidentreturned from giving his speech, the Oateses were gathered withothers outside of the aircraft.

“It was so neat because we thought we would only be able to geta picture of him leaving, but he came down and we were able to getpictures, sign autographs and talk to him,” Oates said.

The president struck her as a man no different than any other,she said.

“He seemed really genuine. I didn’t feel like he was putting onany airs. He seemed like a normal person,” she said.

He seemed genuinely touched when talking to another couple nearthem who had recently lost a son, she said. Bush told them theymust have a large “hole in their heart” and then hugged them.

“That was so neat – to see the compassion he had for people,”Oates said. “He wasn’t putting himself on a pedestal. He wasreaching out to all people.”

A common picture of the president took on new significance tothe Oates when Bush climbed the stairs to step aboard Air Force Oneand turned to wave to them.

It was a fitting ending to what had been a memorable day, Oatessaid.