Great story about Dean Rusk. I remember him too. Definitely go visit him at his grave!
I went to pay respects to Reagan (and now Nancy) on June 5th this year. 12th anniversary of the passing of a giant of a man.
Actually I had my smartphone with his “Time for Choosing” 1964 speech loaded up on Youtube and I started playing it as loud as my smartphone can go (which isn’t really loud) so his voice and words permeated the air at his gravesite. There were a few other people there at the time and everyone got quiet and listened. They thanked me.
You know, the words of a speech are not enough. A corrupt and evil leader like Hillary Clinton could be given the words for a great speech, but she could never deliver it with conviction and force. And the words would never be credible to people who know who she is.
There must be a strong and genuine man or woman behind noble words. When Julius Caesar uttered the words, "Veni, vidi, vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered), it was significant because people knew Caesar's history and his conquest of Gaul.
Likewise, Margaret Thatcher and Reagan were people of solid character, strength, and accomplishment. And so the listener's knowledge of that nobly animated the words of their speeches.
It's like listening to symphonic music. The first time you here a masterpiece work, your mind is getting used to the piece and so its power is somewhat muted.
However, once you hear the piece a few times, your mind learns the melody and anticipates the next notes. Only then do you begin to "hear" the symphony in its fullness.
So I really love the way you honored Mr. Reagan. You made the gravesite visit memorable for yourself and the other visitors.