In l987 I traveled to the White House to receive an award from President Ronald Reagan for the safety belt campaign that featured crash-test dummies Vince and Larry. I was presented a Silver Bell from the President for bringing attention and awareness to the importance of buckling up.

It was a huge honor.

After the ceremony, we were lined up for a picture. Everyone jockeyed for position to be close to Mr. Reagan. In the mellee that ensued, I was shoved to the side. I will never forget seeing the photo on the cover of the Ad trades, the Washington Post and Chicago Tribune. I was CROPPED OUT OF THE PICTURE!!!! All that was pictured in the picture, was my left shoulder. There was the President, Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole, Ad council member Ed Ney, my boss Ted Bell, and Vince and Larry! But no Ferg! The guy who was being honored was not in the picture. I was cropped out of the most important picture of my life. I was devastated.

Well, it happened again!

Following Wednesday’s induction of Vince and Larry into the Smithsonian, we were asked to line up for pictures. I looked online for a photo in the Washington Post. Much to my surprise, there’s director Bill Dear, my old partner Joe Machack, the former secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Vince and Larry, and my right shoulder.

I got cropped out again!

I will write more about the induction ceremony, but right now. I feel like CROP!