Gipper gone, but 'spirit is still alive'

Washington Times ^ | 6.6.04

[ambrose]

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

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Gipper gone, but 'spirit is still alive'

By Audrey Hudson and Steve Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published June 6, 2004

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Americans were saddened and caught off guard to learn of former President Ronald Reagan's death yesterday despite his age and long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

    In Tampico, Ill., Mr. Reagan's hometown, patrons at the Dutch Diner were "a little surprised" to learn of his demise, said Tressa Card, the 28-year-old daughter of the owners.

    "It's a sad day," she said. "I think everyone is sad. He was a good president and a good man, and we feel bad for his wife and wish his family the best.

    "He's been fading with Alzheimer's and other problems, and everyone was expecting this, but it was still a surprise," Miss Card said.

    Mr. Reagan, 93, died yesterday at 1 p.m. with his family by side at his home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles.

    He was the "claim to fame" for the tiny town of Tampico, population 900, where Mr. Reagan was nicknamed "Dutch" by his father, John Edward Reagan. The Dutch Diner on South Main Street was originally named after the Pennsylvania Dutch, "but it worked out real well," Miss Card said.

    At a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Macomb County, Mich., where the term Reagan Democrat was hatched in 1980 after he captured the vote of conservative Democrats -- many of them blue-collar -- the flag was lowered immediately to half-staff when news of the president's death was broadcast.

    "It slowed the beat down here," said Matthew Carrow, post commander. "You can see the change in people's faces when they begin to speak about the death. Ronald Reagan was a very important man, and he meant something in this area especially."

[Mr. Mojo]

I'll always remember Reagan as someone who inspired confidence -- his demeanor, his words, and his actions all gave me a sense that everything was under control and going in the right direction. ......an indomitable spirit.

[goldstategop]

He lives on in Free Republic. President Reagan may be dead but his spirit lives on forever in his spiritual offspring, the proud Freepers of Free Republic!

[Mr. Mojo]

Hear, Hear!