You aren't the only one my friend. Reagan has been my hero since I was a teen. I still have mementos hanging on my wall. I was only 19, I didn't have a lot to do with him personally, I had breakfast with him and Nancy once. I crawled around Central America fighting commies, delivering weapons, and other such things you probably wouldn't believe.
I'm from NC so Jessie Helms was a staple. I first met him when I was 13 and worked on his campaign. I was sitting in his office on that faithful day asking him to come out and speak to 500 students I had demonstrating on the Senate steps for the $50 million humanitarian aid bill for the Contras. He never made it. :-)
We will soon be neighbors, sort of. My hubby and I are moving to (rural) eastern TN soon. We are abandoning the once-magnificent Golden State. I was just a sprout when RWR was our great governor, but those were indeed golden days. Smokey Mountains/Blue Ridge here we come. We will do our part to keep TN bright, American red. :)
I’d be interested to hear some of your Helms and RWR stories. I adored Helms.....hehehehe. He was one really sharp dude.
p.s. I think you meant “fateful”, not “faithful.” ;)