With hundreds of people weaved among the aisles of books, the anticipation for the arrival of Fox News personality Brian Kilmeade was one of excitement and some impatience for those nearing the end of the line on Thursday at Barnes & Noble in The Villages.
This was Kilmeade’s fourth visit to The Villages, this time to promote his new and fifth book “Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny.” This book was authored with Don Yaeger, a journalist and long-time history buff who joined Fox News in 1997 as a sports reporter.
Kilmeade’s new book focuses on a key battle on Jan. 8, 1814, with Andrew Jackson in command, with a team that included Army troops, pirates, Choctaw Indians, Navy sailors, freed black slaves, Marines and state militiamen from Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana. They came together because of Jackson’s ability to convince them of the cause of saving New Orleans from the British. The casualties of Jackson’s troops was said to be close to a dozen, with the British said to have reported almost 1800 lost. It was the final battle of the War of 1812.
Kilmeade walked in to thunderous applause and cheers.
He asked everyone to hold their books up high so he could take a picture, and engaged the audience with his charisma and energy.
With her parents love of all things Kilmeade, as well as her own, Debbie Schwencke from Lakeside Landings, wrote to Brian Kilmeade to make a special request for her dad Fred Goldman of the Village of Winifred, along with his wife Carol.
Goldman is a retired officer of the New York State Police.
The letter that was penned to Kilmeade said that Goldman is not in favor of spending a lot of money on Christmas gifts, but if he could have one gift, it would be to meet Brian Kilmeade, who is a huge fan of the New York State police.
Much to her surprise, the daughter received a call from Kilmeade saying he would visit at her parent’s home prior to his appearance at Barnes & Noble at Lake Sumter Landing. Unfortunately, with the traffic coming out to The Villages, Kilmeade was running late and texted Debbie to bring her parents to Barnes & Noble to meet him there.
Coming prepared with gifts for Kilmeade, Fred brought him New York police Centennial cards, pens, a mug and notebook. Carol, Fred’s wife, made a Giant’s football Christmas tree for Brian; a Kansas Christmas tree for Steve Doocy; and a Panthers Christmas tree for Ainsley Earhardt, all co-hosts of Fox and Friends.
Fred Goldman is such a fan of Fox News, he called the corporate headquarters of a local restaurant when they refused to switch the station to Fox, and the policy was changed so that now Fox and CNN can be watched while dining. He and his wife started watching Fox the morning of 9-11 and have been faithful fans ever since. Their meeting with Kilmeade at Barnes and Noble and the giving of gifts to him certainly was everything checked off on the Goldman Christmas Wish List.
