Colonel cut-outs for U.S. tourists

Press, 28 July 1987, Page 34

Colonel cut-outs for U.S. tourists

NZPA-Reuter Washington The president of the United States, Mr Reagan, and Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver North stand side by side near the White House, ready to pose for pictures with tourists and other passers-by. “I love Ollie. He’s all right. A little misguided but a true patriot,” said Russ McCrohon, as he plunked down SUSS ($8.25) to pose with a lifesized photographic cut-out of Colonel North whose testimony before Congressional investigators made him a familiar face to most Americans.. Colonel North’s sudden fame led a local street vending firm which offers

photographs with Mr Reagan cut-outs to add the former national security aide to its stable of wooden figures.

But “Ollie-mania” was in short supply as the first North figure, which showed the Marine combat veteran in olive dress uniform bedecked with ribbons, made its debut. Bill Scheuerman, a graduate student, aged 22, staffing the photo-vending stand, said business was only average. Asked if there was a great demand for photographs with the North cutout, Mr Scheuerman replied, “Not yet. So far, it’s less than the demand for Reagan.”