Herbert W. Armstrong’s Private Meeting at the Pentagon

Verne Orr had been a successful businessman and educator who had served in both state and national government roles. This World War ii veteran and Purple Heart recipient supervised the transition from the Carter to Reagan administrations. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the post of 14th secretary of the Air Force in 1981.

In July of 1983, representatives of the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation met with Mr. Orr and his wife for dinner in Washington, d.c. The foundation’s founder, Herbert W. Armstrong, was a longtime friend of the Orrs. Des Moines, Iowa, was the birthplace both of the Orrs and of Mr. Armstrong. In addition, the trio had lived in Pasadena, California, at the same time. Mr. Armstrong leased and purchased vehicles from Mr. Orr during the 1940s through ’50s, thereafter crossing paths through the years.

During the dinner, “The conversation … ranged from early days in Des Moines to Ambassador College and Mr. Armstrong’s work abroad, and life in Washington” (Worldwide News, July 25, 1983).

Seven and a half months later, as light snow fell in the nation’s capital, Mr. Armstrong was in d.c., however this time Mr. Armstrong was the honored guest at Mr. Orr’s invitation to a private luncheon at the Pentagon.

Located in Arlington county, Virginia, adjacent to the Potomac River and in view of the Washington Monument, the enormous Pentagon building is the official headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense. With ground broken at the building site in 1941 at the behest of President Roosevelt, the vast five-sided complex was completed in January 1943. It is one of the world’s largest buildings, with three times the floor space of the Empire State Building in New York.

Most are familiar with the 9/11 Islamist terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001 and the subsequent hijacking of a commercial aircraft by terrorists, who flew it into the western side of the Pentagon, killing 189 people, exactly 60 years after the structure’s groundbreaking.

On that snowy March day back in 1984, Mr. Armstrong arrived at the River Terrace entrance of the military center and was met by Mrs. Orr at the security area. They then walked through hallways adorned with historic Air Force pictures en route to her husband’s office.

Mr. Orr ushered his longtime friend into a private dining room featuring carefully crafted woodwork, which reminded his honored guest of Ambassador Hall located on the Pasadena Ambassador College campus.

Mr. Orr recounted how previously the wood was covered with paint and that the ornate wood underneath was inadvertently discovered during a scheduled renovation. Air Force staff came together after work hours to strip the paint and refinish the wood, preserving its integrity and enhancing the room’s appearance.

Tomato almond bisque, poached chicken breast, vegetables and bread rolls, served on special pewter dinnerware featuring the Air Force seal and documented with individual menus scribed in the style of the 1700s, headlined the meal, complemented and completed by apple tart with creme fraiche.

“The meal and conversation were exceptional,” recounted the March 12 issue of the Worldwide News. “Secretary Orr recalled many of his experiences as leader of the Air Force, and answered questions on non-confidential items. Mr. Armstrong explained the activities of the Ambassador Foundation and discussed his January trip that year to New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan.”

In addition, they discussed the forthcoming musical performance of a children’s group from China at the John F. Kennedy Center. This was being sponsored by the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation in association with the Chinese government, the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. and other humanitarian officials from the People’s Republic of China.

After lunch, Mr. Orr escorted the internationally recognized ambassador for world peace back to his office for a review of various exhibits he had accumulated over the years at the Pentagon.

“I know that voice—that’s Herbert Armstrong,” declared Jacque Klein, U.S. State Department special attaché to the Air Force secretary. Mr. Orr had intended to introduce him, however he preempted him upon entering his office after hearing Mr. Armstrong speaking. He excitedly added, “I’ve been listening to him for 20 years” (ibid).

Mr. Armstrong thanked Secretary and Mrs. Orr for their hospitality, and departed the Pentagon in advance of attending an Ambassador International Cultural Foundation co-sponsored evening performance of the Vienna Philharmonic at the Kennedy Center, discussions with Austrian President Kirschschlaeger, Ambassador Klestil and U.S. Secretary of State Schultz and Vice President Bush.

The long-term bond between these Des Moines natives would end also in similarity, as all three would die at home in Pasadena, California. Mr. Armstrong in early 1986, age 93, Mrs. Orr in 1988, age 70, and Mr. Orr in late 2008, age 92.

As part of the Orrs’ legacy, the Air Force Association annually presents the Verne Orr Award in recognition of excellence in the use of human resources in mission accomplishment. In addition, and also annually, the Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award is presented to civilian spouses of military personnel who have made significant contributions.

Though Herbert Armstrong received numerous awards from leaders of government throughout his lifetime of service to humanity, he and Loma Armstrong also left a legacy of defense. Not of physical defense, but spiritual defense of God’s Word in teaching millions worldwide the way to peace. In dedicating his final written work, Mystery of the Ages,Mr. Armstrong wrote, “I would like to dedicate this book to the memory of my wife of 50 happy years, Loma Armstrong.”

Mr. Armstrong believed Mystery of the Ages was the best work of his 93 years of life. Today, following a six-year court battle for possession of this one-of-a-kind publication, ending with subsequent victory in 2003, Trumpet magazine founder and editor in chief Gerald Flurry continues the work and legacy of the Armstrongs, publishing and distributing this vital book. His wife, Barbara, died in 2004 after a life of dedicated love and support of her husband and their mutual work perpetuating the Armstrongs’ work and legacy.

Should it happen that Mr. Flurry ever receives an invitation to the Pentagon, his hosts would see the same spirit at work as earlier hosts did with Mr. Armstrong, the legacy in action of a teacher with the same message of peace dedicated to reaching the largest audience possible.