Vice President Mike Pence, wife start Sunday at Sanibel church

Red Anderson may not have seen Vice President Mike Pence when he stopped Sunday for early morning services at Sanibel Community Church but the 93-year-old former Purdue University basketball player surely noticed his security detail.

"All the guys over there I thought were a singing group," the spry and witty Indiana native and Sanibel snowbird said. "I asked them if they were going to perform. I wasn't aware that they were Secret Service."

Anderson said the agents weren't too thrilled at his question. "They kinda looked awry at me," said Anderson, who was manning the church coffee table outside the services.

Anderson said he played basketball at Purdue about 70 years ago. "I knew (former UCLA coach and Purdue player) John Wooden. But he was a bit older."

The vice president and his wife, Karen, attended the olive-drab-colored church's 8 a.m. traditional service, said member Steve Solakar, and even took communion.

"Pastor (Daryl) Donovan acknowledged the vice president and prayed for him and the president," Solakar said.

Vice President Mike Pence is not your ordinary Sanibel Island tourist

The full-time Sanibel resident said that Pence is probably the highest level dignitary to have taken in the island church's services.

"Ben Carson was here once, but that was before he ran," Solakar said. "Nobody as high as the vice president has been here."

Pastor Donovan said that Pence has been to the church before when he would vacation here during his tenure as Indiana governor. Other dignitaries who attend from time to time included former CIA director and ex-U.S. Rep. Porter Goss and the former United States Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence retired Gen. Jerry Boykin.

Donovan, who said a couple members also attend church with Pence in Indiana, said he had no idea that the vice president was inclined to come to services.

"I heard he was going to be on the island," he said. "About 7:30 a line of black SUVs started pulling in the parking lot."

Donovan said he felt honored, especially since Pence and his wife got in just last night and then attended the congregation's 8 a.m. service.

"He was so genuine and precious," Donovan said. "He was real sweet. I shook his hand and he said he's been coming here for several years and told me that we had a special ministry."

'Some fried chicken and waffles, Mr. Vice President?'

Jack David, a 25-year member of the church, sat in the back for the services but didn't catch a glimpse of Pence.

"I had to go and drive the church bus to pick up some members," he said. "I did hear he took communion."

David also said he had to show his ID to the vice president's security detail when he went to the men's room

Other than that bit of divine excitement, it was a normal day on the popular tourist island. Early on traffic was rather light as cooler temperatures prevailed.

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