Panel of the Week - Scarlet Meets the President

This week Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States of America. According to many reports, he is a fan of comics, particularly Spider-Man and last week Marvel released a comic book featuring Obama and Spidey to great success. It is hardly the first time a comic character has encountered an actual Commander-in-Chief. In May of 1941, our own Scarlet O'Neil was away from the Windy City and while visiting the nation's capitol, she decided to sneak a peak in the White House. She did not reveal herself to President Harry S. Truman, but simply observed as he worked in the Oval Office.

Scarlet was impressed with what she saw, "This is a great honor - to be able to watch the President at work. I must be careful not to disturb him. Upon his shoulders rests the gravest responsibilities. This office has been occupied by some of our greatest men. And who knows? Perhaps you or your son or grandson may someday occupy this office too. For this is America."


"Being in the President's office has inspired every ounce of patriotic blood I have in me. The American flag stands for freedom. It must wave forever...and I'm going to help see that it is or I'm not Invisible Scarlet O'Neil."

As we usher in our new President, we are faced with challenges not unlike those in the days of Harry S. Truman. And just as Scarlet vowed nearly 68 years ago, we will all need to do our part to keep the American flag waving with honor and pride.