Text of Michael Reagan's Remarks

[Robert Lomax]

Matthews then deduced that Ron Reagan spoke of God just for his mother to hear it. I wonder if there's another thread around here that has better details (transcript)?

[lawgirl]

I agree. Ron and Patty spent their lives attacking their father before finally making peace with him as his mind started to fade. Michael was grateful for his father's love and had the capacity to love him back.

[barker]

..... he would be there in his chair opening up his arms for that hug, hello, and the hug goodbye.

Michael didn't rell the rest of this story. One day as he and his wife were leaving she told Michael he had forgotten something important. He looked back to see his father standing on the porch with his arms open waiting for the goodbye hug Michael had forgotten to give him. He ran back and gave his father his hug.

Sad story that tells volumes about the terrible disease President Reagan suffered from.

[little jeremiah]

But it also tell this: that even if President Reagan's brain couldn't hold on to details, facts, events, and memories - his heart couldn't forget love. The core of his being remained intact.

[ducks1944]

As the old saying goes it takes more to be a parent than to bring a child into the world. God bless Michael Reagan.

[no dems]

AGREE, AGREE, AGREE !!! But, the Prez and Dad Prez did pretty well. But, Michael carried the ball.

[Rhiannon]

I thought the same thing. Michael is author of these words. How can the AP copyright his words?

[Swede Girl]

Michael was great, just great. It is more than obvious that he is the most normal of the three Reaagan children there.

Patti has obvious problems. She does not dress or behave with the polish one would expect from a daughter of Ron and Nancy. Something is just not all there with her.

Ron is a disgrace and doesn't fit into his dad's shoes on any level. There is an agenda there, and I wander what his REAL story is. He will be up front and center at the Democratic Convention. The democrats are licking their chops knowing that they have him to work for their cause.

[lmr]

Wow. I am speechless. I feel like crying.

[bootless]

One day as he and his wife were leaving she told Michael he had forgotten something important. He looked back to see his father standing on the porch with his arms open waiting for the goodbye hug Michael had forgotten to give him. He ran back and gave his father his hug.

Oh my God ... that lump in my throat is back.

I respect Michael immensely for not only his eulogy, but for the love that he not only felt for - but showed to - his father. God bless them both.

[torchthemummy]

"I agree. Ron and Patty spent their lives attacking their father before finally making peace with him as his mind started to fade. Michael was grateful for his father's love and had the capacity to love him back."

I have to defend Patty and Ron Jr. I thought both were great today (I just saw the replay) and were very sincere. As they say "Better late than never."

Patty's story of Ronnie taking her to a field where a fire brush had swept through days before and showing the regeneration of grass beginning and saying, "In death there always comes good" was very touching and her story of Ronnie explaining how her dead fish (after a proper burial) was in heaven swimming in beatiful blue water. Young Patty then suggested that they kill the others so they could join their lost member and have the same beautiful enviroment to live in too. The President took more time to explain that death comes on God's timetable. Check the replays on C-Span which will air the whole weeks highlights on Sunday.

And Ronnie Jr. was very sincere and told a hilarious story of how the Gipper wanted to revive the "thumbs up" gesture. On one of his first forays in doing the thumbs up gesture to a crowd as he and Ronnie Jr. rode along in the Presidential limo, the President's single-digit gesture was retorted by one angry man that gave him a "different single-digit gesture." The President turned to Ron Jr. and without missing a beat said, "See! I think it's catching on!" Just great.

I think they learned to love their father and accept his genuineness even if his brutal honesty may at one time seemed a disconnect.

God Bless them all!

[wolficatZ]

[trustandobey]

Although Michael was the adopted son, he served his Father as a son should. His life shows his respect for his Father. I like to think because he had more time with him than the others. Michael, your Father would be proud, and hopefully and prayerfully Nancy and your siblings are as well, He lives on in you. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[LibKill]

Wonderful! I always loved and respected President Reagan, but I never knew the private side of the man as Michael Reagan presents here.

Reagan was solid gold.

[tuesday afternoon]

Dear Michael,
I think I shall have to change my tagline to "everything has a meaning" to honor my now two favorite presidents.

this from someone who voted for Dukakis.

[tutstar]

I saw that and it was beautiful just as the whole day had been.


And AP saw fit to put their copyright on it....bah

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Thank you for posting this. Michael's words left me speechless and in tears last night.

[CharlotteVRWC]

Doesn't Michael do some talk Radio somewhere?

[GnL]

Agreed. Who in the h*** is Chris Matthews to criticize what ANY family member says at a PRIVATE burial ceremony? That screaming moron should be glad the Reagans even invited us to invade their privacy with TV cameras for what was a horribly difficult time for them. Chris Matthews can stick it up his ass--maybe that would quiet him down a little.

[antivenom]

Little Ronnie "belittled" G-d and faith" and smirked at religion...during his eulogy.

I even noticed that Michael's WIFE seem more greif struck that then "Patti & Ronnie"...