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Ronald Reagan's life almost takes on a mythical status. An ordinary kid from Illinois. He becomes a bona fide hero by saving lives as a lifeguard. He never liked to talk about it too much, it was his job to save lives.

He gets a job as a radio sports announcer, catches the eye of a Hollywood scout and becomes a movie star during the golden age of Hollywood.

For most, that would have been an extraordinary life if it stopped right there. But, as his career wanes, and Reagan starts to become a has-been, he gets a new career as a television host. Not a bad way to wind up your career. But the sponsor of that program offers, General Electric, gives Reagan the chance to give little promotional speeches to local Rotaries and Kiwanis groups. Most Hollywood actors would have been insulted by the offer, but Reagan seizes the opportunity to hone his public speaking.

Once again, Reagan finds himself in the right place and the right time. Political 'scouts' hear his speeches and consider him as a potential opponent against Pat Brown for governor of California. The pundits figured that this Holly wood actor with little political experience would be no match for the popular Brown. The pundits were wrong.

He becomes a successful governor. He then sets his sites on the Presidency. Again, the pundits believe that a hard core conservative could not become president. After an unsuccessfull attempt to win the nomination in 1976, he takes another shot at it in 1980. This time the punditry says that he is becoming too old to be president. Reagan however, wins the nation over with his wit and his charm (not to mention his ideas).

Literally seconds after being sworn in, the long Iranian hostage crisis ends. Then, just a couple of months into his presidency, Reagan is shot with a near-fatal chest wound. Characteristically, Reagan makes a joke as they wheel him into the operating room. "I hope the doctor is a Republican" he says.

Reagan recovers, but the economy worsens. His advisors urge him to change his economic policies. Isolated, Reagan maintains the courage of his convictions and stays the course of his tax cuts. In time, the economy booms.

Simultaneously, he keeps the pressure on the Soviet Union by ramping up the arms race an proposing 'Star Wars'. The Soviets know that they cannot keep up. In Iceland, Gorbachev proposes cutting nuclear arsenals. Reagan could have left Iceland with a major victory, perhaps even winning praise in the American media. Again Reagan sticks to his guns. His vision is longer range. Within a just a few years, the Soviet Union collapses. Ronald Reagan wins the Cold War without firing a shot in anger.

He does this all with grace and humility. Then, at the twilight of his life, the man is given the horrible news that he has a disease that will rob him of the memory of his accomplishments. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Reagan remains optimistic about America, and thankful for his opportunities.

If you wrote a movie about a life like that, no one would think it would be believable. Larger-than-life is the only way to describe it. I thank Ronald Reagan for being a hero in time when heros had all but disappeared.