In all of the millions of words that will be spoken and written today and over the next few days to mark the passing of President Ronald W. Reagan, perhaps the most surprising to me are those spoken by, of all people, Peter Jennings, a short while ago. Jennings acknowledged that President Reagan was one of the greatest presidents ever.
Actually, words are poor tools at a time like this. How does one capture such a giant spirit and reduce it down to mere words? From my earliest childhood, the written word has always been my friend. And yet, I just don't have the words today.
I love Ronald Reagan. I just love him. I honor him, respect him, enjoy him, miss him. He personified the quintessential American hero of our dreams and legends: romantic, patriotic, funny, staunch, brave, smart, self-effacing, impervious to an assassin's bullet. The term "larger than life" doesn't fit very many people, but it sure fit Ronald Reagan.
As a Californian, I'd like to be on the motorcade route or near the Reagan Library on the day of his funeral to show my profound respect and gratitude. But it will be a work day, and I don't know if I can get the day off. So I make this pledge: To continue the Reagan Revolution by working very, very hard to re-elect George W. Bush, in many ways — no, not all, but in many ways — President Reagan's true political heir.
In closing this, my small personal tribute, I want to say thank you to God for sending him to us. Although he was ours for only a short while, it was enough to know true greatness. This coming November will tell the tale of whether the nation understands and still embraces the Reagan legacy.
Great thoughts!
I thought I might relate a short version of what Reagan did for me.
After I got out of the Army in 1972, I was demoralized, emotionally damaged and depressed. This condition which should have gotten better, never really did, ending in a divorce after six years and many different jobs and addresses.
When Reagan took office, I felt that he nor anyone else could somehow repair this damage, but I had no idea what had caused it? Why was was I all F'd up?
To make a long story short, when Reagan sent our guys to that little puke island and rescued those students with a quick decisive blow to the enemy with so much class, it lifted me up like nothing else could. I felt like my despair was gone, my moral repaired and my manhood rekindled.
I was whole again!
I discovered that it was the defeat in Nam and the lousy moral that ensued that directly caused my grief and lack of purpose and depression.
Reagan repaired that damage for me and many other vets. I will love him and honor him until I breath my last. As I watched his hearse leave the Reagan home a few minutes ago, I saluted him. Something I have not done since 1972. I will be doing much more saluting in the coming days as I ponder the great things that this man has accomplished for this country.
I couldn't get past your "I love Ronald Reagan"
without tearing so badly that I had to wipe my
eyes every three or four words.
I'm with you; come November we shall see if
this nation embraces President Reagan's legacy,
and I, for one, will work for President Bush's
reelection and for a GOP sweep in all races.