Posted on 06/05/2011 1:51:36 PM PDT by smokingfrog
Former President Ronald Reagan died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 93.
Reagan led a conservative revolution that set the economic and cultural tone of the 1980s, hastened the end of the Cold War and revitalized the Republican Party. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease since at least late 1994.
At least two of his children and his wife, Nancy, were at his bedside, according to the former president's Los Angeles office.Ron Reagan Jr. and Patty Davis -- children from his current marriage to Nancy Davis Reagan -- were with him at his home in the Bel Air district of Los Angeles, the office said.It was unclear whether Michael Reagan, his adopted son from his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, was at his side. Maureen Reagan, his daughter from that marriage, died of brain cancer in 2001.
President Bush was informed of Reagan's death while in Paris, where he is on tour to honor the heroes of World War II on the weekend of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.The White House lowered its flag to half-staff after the news. Bush planned to issue a recorded statement later.
Michael Reagan released a statement soon after his father's death.
"I pray that as America reflects on the passing of my Dad, they will remember a man of integrity, conviction and good humor that changed America and the world for the better," Michael Reagan said. "He would modestly say the credit goes to others, but I believe the credit is his."
Reagan was praised by presidential historian Robert Dallek.
"He restored a kind of confidence in the presidency, and a better mood in the United States about politics and politicians and about the presidency," Dallek said.
(Excerpt) Read more at articles.cnn.com ...
I only hope when (not if) Palin is POTUS, she can come up with such brilliant on-the-spot answers - not mean, just spot on.
DC FReepers were in action against Code Pink that day. We defended Sec. Rumsfeld’s home from a stinky hippie invasion.
I cried buckets full of tears when President Reagan died. Was glued to my tv to watch the funeral events, and later visited his grave shortly after his passing with a group of California FReepers, including JimRob. Will never forget.
If you’ve never visited the library you need to. It is exceptional. His feet are pointed toward the Pacific Ocean and his Air Force One is on display...all of it.
I lived in Ireland during the first years of Reagan’s presidency. The leftist scum over there were putting up anti-US propaganda posters showing a cartoon of Reagan wearing an Uncle Sam outfit and shooting “innocent” Middle East Arabs . . . ridiculous how bad the anti-US propaganda was back then; it’s far worse now.
RIP. It was so sad to see this great man struck down by Alzheimer’s. I know he is truly at peace now.
So California is worth fighting for, people. Don't dismiss it so easily.
One of the saddest days ever in my life.
RIP, RR.
Don't worry about them.
Most of those willing to give up the best to settle for less, are not the ones ya want in a foxhole with ya.
Most of them are just pissed they're in a place where the winters resemble the inside of my icebox, with summers being like the surface of Mercury, but with uninhabitable sweltering humidity.
To this day I can’t look at his photo’s, read about him or listen to his speeches without getting wet eyes.
I loved this great man while her was here, I sorely miss him now and will until my time is up.
I had live and worked in CA for many years. I know there are many conservatives in the state. It is a beautiful state and worth fighting for.
Miss you? Yes Sir, every day.
The put a picture of President Reagan on the infield matrix board; and I knew. After a brief delay, there was a PA announcement and people were asked to stand in silence in memory of the late President. The place was absolutely quiet. Afterward a couple of my daughter's friends asked respectful questions about the President, and I answered.
ML/NJ
It was 1986. I was flown in to DC as a delegate to my fraternity. The hotel picked me up at the airport. The driver said “get in the car, as fast as you can!!”. I complied and he said he had a surprise for me. Upon reaching the hotel, he said “I’m taking your bags in. Go stand there on the curb. President Reagan will be arriving any minute!!” Well, sure enough, in came the motorcade. I was one of a few people standing there on the hotel corner curb to the basement entrance. The President waved at us and I got a pic of it. I then went in to the hotel to check in, then went downstairs to the ballrooms. The Secret Service blocked each door and eyeballed me as I stood there to listen to that golden voice booming through the corridors. I’ll never forget the selflessness and hustle of that hotel driver for allowing me to witness the Great One.
I think that is my favorite picture of him. Funny how you can miss someone that you didn’t personally know.. but I do.
I went to the White House, on the Lafayette Park side. There were a lot of us there. Somebody gave me a candle to hold, everybody had them.
My most memorable moment was Margaret Thatcher approaching the casket and then laying her hand upon the flag draped over it. You could see the sorrow she felt at his loss and great affection she held for him.
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