Posted on 06/14/2004 3:10:01 PM PDT by Theodore R.
He touched so many lives
As we received the news this week of former President Ronald Reagan’s death, I am reminded of the man and president he was and the impact he had on so many, including my then-seven year old son.
I remember when he campaigned for presidency. I was a junior in high school. I was upset, since I was not yet 18, I would not be eligible to vote for him. He would, of course, become our 40th president even without my vote.
I recall hearing my parents speak about his career as a movie and television star. Although it seems to be common now for an actor or even a wrestler to turn politician, it was something that was unheard of at the time.
He was a refreshing change from the typical staunch silver-haired politicians who had probably never even seen a chimpanzee up close, much less co-stared with one.
Shortly after defeating Democrat Jimmy Carter to became the leader of the free world, he was shot and wounded by a disturbed individual by the name of John Hinckley. Even though he was already up in age, Reagan’s recovery time was exceptionally short, all the while making jokes.
President Reagan always seemed to have a smile on his face, and usually began each sentence with a pause and the word “well.” He was known as a staunch conservative, a cheery optimist, and an implacable foe of Soviet communism, not to mention what he did for the jelly bean industry.
By the time Reagan was beginning his second term, my son Michael was well on his way to becoming a man of the world, what with his recent kindergarten graduation an all.
Michael was probably the youngest and most loyal Reagan supporter I knew, which is the reason he was heart broken in 1989 when his hero could not run again for president.
Michael looked up at me with his big brown eyes and asked, “What will he do now Mamma?” After struggling with the thought of Reagan being out of work, my compassionate little boy came up with a pretty good idea.
“President Reagan has done a lot for America, huh Mamma?” he asked with concern. “Everybody likes him. I have been thinking about it, and if everyone would donate $1 for him, like the people do on TV church, then I think he would be OK.”
It took some fast talking but I finally convinced Michael that Mr. Reagan, along with every other former president would continue to receive an annual salary for the rest of his life.
I received a phone call from my now 22-year-old son the other night.
“I guess you heard about President Reagan, huh mom?” he asked-again with concern.
“Yes I did Baby,” I replied.
And this was all that was said.
That is the kind of president Ronald Reagan was. The kind that teenagers could not wait to be old enough to vote for and small children worried about after he was no longer in office.
Theresa Gardner is a Press-Herald staff reporter. Her column normally runs Thursdays.
This is funny.........I was just in Minden this morning.
I have decided that I wish for Bill Clinton a very long life..that's because we're the same age, and after hearign "Ruffles and flourishes" and "Hail to the Chief" played numerous times during President Reagan's period of mounring, it is my fervent hope that I will not have to hear it played over his casket.
Ken5050 is a great New Yorker, constantly outvoted by his fellow citizens in his desire for limited goveernment, the Constitution, and moral sanity.
He is right: I don't want to view a Clinton "funeral" either. If I am still around, I will just turn it off, as the clintoids told us to do with other objectionable television during the "dirty 90s."
Over the weekend, I told Mr. Inspectorette that Clinton would probably outlive us and that's good, because I don't think I could stand seeing the same type of tribute ginned up by Hillary (or the future Congresswoman Chelsea Clinton).
The other day a freeper said he hopes that the day clinton dies the temperature in Washington is -40ºF, which in effect will prevent long lines at the rotunda. Hopefully no line at all. That, I think is too much too hope for, because there will be a long line of women that he raped trying to get a chance to spit on his casket.
He still touches me. I am very thankful he came along when he did. Perfect timing.
I was in Minden 6/7 March.
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