‘Since you expressed an interest in Mr. Rockwell and the “Rustaway”. Thought you might appreciate the following, [ will give you a litle information on myself, a brief history of "The Runaway", Saturday Evening Post cover September 20, 1958 also few personal thoughts on Mr. Rockwell and his work: From 1942 to 1959 I asa resident of the Town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It had always been a fervent ‘wish of mine to become a Massachusetts State Trocpet. However, i 1951 when I was ready, the State Police hed 10 ‘vacancies, no State Police exams were scheduled. However, Washington, DC and Arlington, Virginia were recruiting police officers from all over the country. I applied and was accepted by both departments. In 1951 I began my career in law enforcement asa Highway Patrolman withthe Arlington County Police Department in Arlington, Vigiaia and remained with them until 1953 when [took and passed the Massachusetts Siate Police exam. In 1953 1 was accepted back to my home state with the Massachusetts State Police. It was my honor and pleasure to have served with thet organization until my retirement in 1975. Eleven years in uniform, eleven years with the State Police Detective Bureau. Jn 1975 Lwent to work for the General Electric Company and remained with them, in various security ‘management positions, until my retirement in 1994. (ike to stay in every job for about wenty years). ‘Mr. Rockwell moved to Stockbridge, Massachusets in the late 1940's. We were neighbors living three houses part. During that time he had an old Bascett Hound that, peviodcally, came over into my yard. I would walk the dog back to Mr. Rockwell. During the course of these visits and ensuing chats he became aware that | was @ Trooper with the Massachusetts State Police. In April of 1958 Mr. Rockwell came to sce me, stad he had an idea for a painting that required a police officer. Asked if I would be willing to pose for him (a this point I wish I could say that he searched diligently for a police officer, then chose me. Such was not the case ~ I just happened to be the handicst police officer and someone he knew). The Sate Police gave their consent and I was allowed to pose for him. (On the appointed day end time I went to a Howard Johnson Restaurant in the City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts (now replaced by a Dakota Steak house) forthe scheduled photo session. Mr, Rockwell initially worked with tive models, in our ease (The Runaway) he worked from photographs. Most ofhis work was done from photographs. ‘The young boy that appears inthe painting was a young lad from Stockbridge named Eddie Locke (he is the same young boy that appears in the Rockwell painting ofthe white-coated Doctor giving the litle boy a shot in his posterio) ‘When we originally pesed the counterman was a young man named Clarence Barrett. First photos were taken with Howard Johnson "trademark" back wall with the name of the twenty-eight flavors of ie cream etched into the mirror. (This isnot the counterman or back wall that appears in the painting of "The Runaway” you know - Mr Rockwell changed criginal version). The unfinished original version hangs side-by-side with the published Post cover ‘of "The Runaway" in the Rockwell Muscum in the Town of Stockbridge. “The counterman that appears on the Post cover “The Runaway” (more rustic background) was named Don Jobson, The floor, stools and coffee cups on the counter are from the original photo session and were Howard Johnson's. For those thet might argue ebout his artistic ability, study the detail in his work: the reflection in the chrome rim on the counter stools in “The Runaway” and the glass, water and ice he painted in the Four Freedoms painting “Freedom from Want” just to name two instances. ‘When I saw the finished Post cover of "The Runaway" Lasked Mr: Rockwell wy he had made the changes. He told me the original counterman (Clarence Barrett) had too youthful a face; not enough oge contrast between the‘younger counterman and the young boy - preferred the more seasoned counterman (Don Johnson). A more “rustic “diner” background, rather than Howard Johnson's indicated the boy had gotten further out of town. ‘There is still some controversy pertaining 10 the)"rustic diner” back wall. The owner of Joe's Diner on Main Strvet in Leo, Massachusetts (which is sil there by the way) alleges it is taken from a photo of the back wall of his diner, Another former diner owner from the little Town of Housatonic, Massachusetts claims it was the back wall of| his diner (now torn down). A woman from Conneeticat claims the Post cover back wall was specially made for Mr. Rockwell by her father a carpenter (now deceased). The only thing I can say on that that Eddie Locke and I only posed once, at Howard Johnson's. (On a personal note - The Mr. Rockwell [knew was just a very nice, warm down-to-earth person. Always had time to bid one the time of day or just chat. Always had his pipe in his mouth or close at hand. He and his wife Molly enjoyed riding bicycles and traveied all over the back roads of The Town of Stockbridge. ‘On Mr. Rockwell, {think it was his 80th birthday, the Town of Stockbridge had a big parade in his honor. He and his wife Molly st on the front porch of the Red Lion Inn the hotel that appears in his painting of the Main Street ‘of Stockbridge) and reviewed the marchers. I think they thoroughly enjoyed the day. The Innis stil there and remains very popular. In my opinion, when Mr. Rockwell died in 1978 America lost a tuly talented and dedicated “artist. During his many years asa painter, ifsomeone erred and called him an arts to his face he would always jovially corrected him or et ane says, “Tm not an ats. I'm an illustrator". Mr. Rockwell had the ability to portray people (some famous - most not), also the monumental worldwide and national events that transpired during his lifetime, on canvas and on Saturday Evening Post covers. These he portrayed recorded and depicted the way be thought the American people would like them to be - not necessarily the way they er Sadly, Tm afraid we will not see his like again. Richard J. Clemens Massachusetts Stat Police (Ret)