Jimmy Carter made several significant stops in Roanoke during a lifetime in politics and public service. He campaigned for president in the Star City, and later stumped for a Virginia gubernatorial candidate. He passed through on his way to accept a humanitarian award at Virginia Military Institute and he personally thanked workers at a Vinton manufacturing plant for their work helping to save lives in Africa.

Then there was the time he came through Roanoke just to see the Days Inn.