Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass, left, gives President Barack Obama a golf ball as he greets the him and the first lady Michelle Obama, right, at the Cape Cod Coast Guard Station in Bourne, Mass., Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, en route to Martha’s Vineyard. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
CHILMARK – President Barack Obama and the First Family arrived on Martha’s Vineyard Saturday afternoon to begin their two-week summer vacation on the island, the last of his presidency.
Air Force One landed at Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod just before 2 p.m. where they boarded Marine One for the short helicopter ride to the Vineyard.
Before departing Joint Base Cape Cod, President Obama and First Lady Michelle greeted several local officials who gathered on the runway.
Among them was 9th District Massachusetts Congressman William Keating (D), who told reporters that he gave the President a golf ball made at a factory in New Bedford, which is part of his district.
“He said he’d use it for his best shot,” Keating told the press pool.
The first daughters headed straight to Marine One.
CCB MEDIA PHOTO: A store in Oak Bluffs selling a t-shirt aimed at capturing customers looking to be part of the Obama vacation.
In addition to Keating, the President and First Lady met briefly with Barnstable County Commission Chairwoman Mary Pat Flynn, Sandwich Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Susan James and Tobias Vanderhoop, Tribal Chairman of the Gay Head Wampanoag Tribe.
They also were greeted by Captain Donald Bader, USCG, Air Station Cape Cod Executive Officer, Captain Richard Shultz, USCG, Commanding Officer Sector Southeast, Colonel Christopher W. Hurley, 102nd Mission Support Group, Lieutenant Colonel Scott Zuffanti, USA Camp Edwards Administrative Officer and Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Joel Hippe, Commander, USAF, 6 Space Warning Squadron.
On arrival on Martha’s Vineyard, the First Family traveled in their motorcade to a home in Chilmark where they will spend the next two weeks.
Along the way, pockets of people lined the roads waving and snapping pictures.
This marks the seventh visit to Martha’s Vineyard for Obama during his presidency. The first family has vacationed on the island every year since 2009, with the exception of 2012.
By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director
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