Mike Ebbing and Richard Nixon never had a chance to meet face to face, but they were quite familiar with each other’s voices over the phone. Mike Ebbing, a graduate of Galesburg High School in 1965, worked as a White House switchboard operator at the Camp David Presidential Retreat from 1970 to 1972, as part of the White House Communications Agency.
During his time there, Ebbing handled numerous significant phone calls involving President Richard Nixon. Some of the notable individuals he spoke with included Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes, and the Apollo 15 astronauts.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of Richard Nixon’s historic resignation as president next month, Ebbing joined WGIL’s Jay Redfern on this episode of Galesburg In Focus.