A Reagan Vigil ~ June 11th, 2004 ~ Columbia, Missouri

June 12th, 2004 | Scott7278, Gulfwar1Vet

[GulfWar1Vet]

This pastor was overwhelmed to have led the benediction at the close of the Memorial Service of Ronald Wilson Reagan in Columbia, MO on Friday, June 11th, 2004. It was an honor that was certainly undeserved.

The ceremony was a dual blessing. On the one hand, it was an opportunity to celebrate a President who single-handedly brought an end to the Soviet Union without a single shot being fired. History will never forget his June 12th, 1987 appeal from West Germany: "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

We know the rest of the story: the wall did indeed fall in November 1989, and the Soviet Union later collapsed in December 1991. This was all a result of President Reagan, who showed us that freedom can and will always triumph over any government that attempts to limit it.

This was not the first time that "Peace through Strength" achieved great results during his two terms in office. When the Honorable Ronald Reagan was sworn in as our nation's 40th President on Tuesday, January 20th, 1981, he had inherited a Presidency in dire need of renewed strength and moral clarity. The former president, Jimmy Carter, was burdened with the office and his own counsel had even recommended changing the Constitution to a more parliamentary form of government.

But the Iranians understood the power of the Presidency, coupled with the firm and steely resolve of the new President. They wisely decided to release the American hostages after a 444 day captivity -- on the very day of President Reagan's inauguration. In true Reagan form, he appointed former President Carter to be the special envoy to welcome home our embassy staff, thus showing himself to be the epitome of class and graciousness.

He showed us throughout his two terms that the Presidency was not bigger than any one man, but that the American people have an awesome responsibility to elect the right man to the most powerful office in the world. He must be an honorable and noble leader who will act decisively -- with force if necessary -- always putting the nation's security before all personal pursuits and ambitions. President Reagan fulfilled that mission with valor.

Every U.S. President now and forever should follow the doctrine of "Peace through Strength" for the continued security of this nation. Communism was defeated with this doctrine, and by the grace of God, terrorism will soon follow it into the grave. Terrorists can not be paid-off, nor can they be negotiated with; they must be defeated for the sake of freedom loving people here and all around the world.

If there was one word to describe the policy decisions of President Ronald Reagan, it would have to be "freedom." He had a simple message: "Get the government off our backs." He realized that the only thing standing in the way of the American people experiencing the American Dream is our very own government. Getting the government out of our wallets was a key component to that simple message. Since tax cuts give people more freedom and independence, it is actually a moral issue at it's core and not a political one.

Ronald Wilson Reagan loved the military and each and every soldier who wore the uniform with pride. His tax cuts, which made us more free, along with his military spending, which made us more secure, was a perfect marriage of policy. He had tremendous respect for our military, and it showed whenever he spoke of their great service to a grateful nation. These weren't just idle words, either, for his appreciation was demonstrated in the defense budget. This, by the way, is the ultimate test of a President's respect for the military.

The proof of his love and respect was highlighted when it came time for the military to pay their respects to the fallen Commander-in-Chief. Who could ever forget the picture of the U.S. Marine who was crying as he gave his salute? That picture has been seared into this pastor's mind, and it demonstrated the greatness of the United States of America.

We honor President Ronald Reagan not under compulsion, obligation, or force, but because we desire to honor him -- our emotions are real and they come from deep within us. He has truly captivated a nation, and it is this pastor's prayer that the Reagan Revolution would be revitalized, and that we would once again head down the path of righteousness and shine our God-given light even brighter. President Reagan called us the "Shining City on a Hill" and believed that our greatest days lie ahead. Because of the powerful God we serve, we can share in his optimism. The President not only wanted the best for America, but he thought the best of America. America thought the best of him.

The Memorial Service was certainly an opportunity to honor the 40th President that sought to limit government, thus removing the only roadblock to our God-given freedom. It was also an opportunity to honor the homegoing of a faithful servant of God, who just happened to be the 40th President of the United States. He was known here on this earth as "The Great Communicator." He was called that because he had great convictions, and these convictions were based on Absolute Truth. This Absolute Truth is ultimately found in God and revealed in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, through His resurrection from the dead.

Because of the rock-solid truth of the resurrection, his faith was also rock-solid and unable to be shaken. He did not care about polls when the people were wrong -- he sought to be a leader in those circumstances and convince the electorate of his position. That is the very essence of a leader; one who is not led by those he governs, but one who leads. Of course, he was submitting to His Master as he led this wonderful nation, so that we would not be led astray. He kept His focus on the invisible Shining City as the model for the visible Shining City of America.

Historical revisionists will have a difficult time downplaying the spiritual aspect of this man, especially after the National Memorial Service was such an honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. The National Memorial Service, by the way, was planned by President Reagan and his loving wife, Nancy. It is time for the silent majority of the American people to become the vocal majority and take a stand for this soul of this great nation. The tides of socialism must be resisted and defeated at every turn, because America can only be the "Shining City on a Hill" when her people are free. Capitalism must reign over any other system, for only in capitalism do we find freedom. It must prevail.

This was what was committed to memory as the prelude to the Benediction. What was actually spoken may vary somewhat, but the essence is recorded here:

"Every Christian desires to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" from his Master and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ upon his death. Ronald Wilson Reagan, because of His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, has already heard those words and has now entered into his eternal rest. Many people were predicting the end of the West, but Ronald Reagan -- our nation's 40th president -- was adamant that it would not happen on his watch. He taught us that communism, socialism, and fascism can and must be defeated, for freedom is God's gift to humanity. America is indeed a "Shining City on a Hill," and our prayer is that her brightest days lie ahead."

God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

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The words above were penned by Scott7278, a pastor who done the Benediction to the Reagan Vigil that was held at 12:15 pm on June 11th, 2004 here in Columbia, Missouri.

The words above can aptly describe the reverance, the spirit of the Vigil. A Vigil that can make a true-Blood American proud of the Presidency of Ronald Wilson Reagan and what the man represented.

The Vigil was put together in 3 days, starting last Tuesday. Thanks to the efforts of FReepers here on Free Republic, the Reaganvigil.com was set up and that is where the idea of us here in Columbia doing a Vigil came from. We had to do something to honor and commerate President Reagan.

..and that is what we did. We, which compromised of myself (Gulfwar1vet), Scott7278, Dogrobber and Bluesagewoman. We took the "bull by it's horns" and we ran with it.

Here is a great article in the Columbia Daily Tribune talking about the Vigil: http://www.showmenews.com/2004/Jun/20040612News009.asp

I have pictures..and that will be in the next post. :)

[GulfWar1Vet]

Canopy right before the Vigil...

Dewey Crepeau speaking..one of 3 speakers that day...

Dogrobber and Bluesagewoman putting the final details together...Pic of Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign poster...

Another view of Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign poster...

Pic of Gulfwar1vet, the "rock" according to Bluesagewoman. I had to keep the Flag, the Flower vase and the Pic from not flying away due to the wind. LOL

View of crowd...Tribune said 80, we say 100-150.

Another view...

Dogrobber and Scott7278 at lunch after Vigil. Dog is on phone. LoL

[GulfWar1Vet]

PING!!

[scott7278]

Ping.

[scott7278]

"View of crowd...Tribune said 80, we say 100-150. "

KOMU-TV reported "dozens." Isn't that funny?

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

That was absolutely breath-taking. Thank you all for doing this great thing. That will be etched in your mind for all time. "Good job"

[Prov3456]

Wow. Great report. Great event. I don't know how I missed the PR, or the event, but I'm sorry I did.

Good job, MidMissouri Patriots.

RIP President Ronald Reagan. We will miss you.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for honoring President Reagan

[zip]

THANK YOU FOR STANDING TALL IN LIBERAL COLUMBIA.

KOMU-TV reported "dozens." Isn't that funny?

For those FReepers not familiar with KOMU TV, it is owned and operated by the University of Missouri AND IS THE STATION THAT PROHIBITED ON AIR STAFF FROM WEARING THE FLAG OR ANY PATRIOTIC PINS FOLLOWING 9/11. Is this a great University or what?

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Good job, Columbia Freepers! We're proud of the Gipper and proud of you!

(BTW, we had our regular Freeps today in Greeley and Fort Collins).

[GulfWar1Vet]

I am surprised that KOMU had anything to say. I must have missed it while cruising the alphabet soups on tv. LOL

"Dozens", eh? Methinks they need to go have remidial math, you think?

[scott7278]

Here is where I found that little bit of info:

http://www.komu.com/html/htmlWinter2004/reagan061104.htm

[scott7278]

"THANK YOU FOR STANDING TALL IN LIBERAL COLUMBIA."

Wouldn't have it any other way. ;)

[scott7278]

I think I speak for all of us when I say that we were honored and humbled to pay our respects to the great Ronald Reagan.

[No!]

It looks like it was done with dignity, class, and a little Missouri common sense!

For that, I salute you!

Thank you for your efforts honoring President Reagan.

God Bless America

[BlueOneGolf]

A fitting tribute to the greatest President of the 20th Century. I'm usually not an emotional man but watching the many services and ceremonies for President Reagan this week I was overcome with tears I could not choke back on several occasions. President Reagan's beliefs were the foundation of my political ideology that developed when I was in high school. I joined the Army and served in the 8th Infantry Div. in Baumholder, West Germany from April '87 to April '89 and all but the last three months President Reagan was my Commander-in-Chief. We trained in those cold, dark German forests in preparation for the awful day that never came; the invasion of the West by the Evil Empire.

I transferred to Ft. Lewis, WA. in May of '89 and it was there that I watched the Berlin Wall being torn down on TV. It was only then that I realized the small part I had played in President Reagan's vision and I knew instinctively that it was his leadership and strength that had made that event happen and I knew that I had served under Greatness itself. Those memories came flooding back this week and I truly mourned our terrible loss. His life continues to be an inspiration to me and I vowed this week to try to emulate the way he lived his life: honesty, courage, strength of character, humor, love for his wife, love of Country, love for his Savior Christ the Lord, and the constant striving to be the best he could be. Rest forever in the arms of the Lord, Mr. President. You are deeply loved and respected...and you will be missed. Godspeed.

[GulfWar1Vet]

Blue..thank you for your post. I,too, was stationed in Germany, although I was under the command of Bush I when I went there to the 1st Armour Division in Ansbach.

As I look back, I am grateful that Reagan did support and increase the military, or the Gulf War might had a different ending.

RWR is gonna be missed.

[scott7278]

I wanted to thank you both for your service to this wonderful nation. You and all servicemen played a LARGE part in fulfilling President Reagan's mission, and this nation is better because of you.

God bless you both.

[bluesagewoman]

Thank you and to Scott for all you have done. The wind and intense heat made it a bit difficult yesterday, but with the whole team working everything went fine.

BTW, the Missourian stated there were more than 100 at the rally. The reporter actually counted them all (130 was what she told me). It seems someone had complained before it started that the local media always underestimates the crowd if it is not a liberal group. LOL. Guess the other reporters proved the point.

[scott7278]

"It seems someone had complained before it started that the local media always underestimates the crowd if it is not a liberal group."

I said that it was funny in an earlier post that it was reported as "dozens" instead of 130, but it's really not funny at all. It's downright deceptive.

Thankfully, photographs do not lie.