WHERE WERE YOU? 22 YEARS AGO TODAY: RONALD REAGAN BECOMES PRESIDENT, IRANIAN HOSTAGES RELEASED!

FREEPers Everywhere! ^

[Recovering_Democrat]

Hard to believe: 22 years ago today, Jimmy Carter finally had to let go of his miserable Presidency, and the Golden Era of Reagan began. Iran's fundamentalist islamists, knowing they would be turned into ash if they kept up their illegal behavior, released the 52 Americans they'd held for 444 days.

Where were you on this glorious day?

[AmericanInTokyo]

I WAS AT THE WEST (CENTER) FRONT OF THE U.S. CAPITOL WATCHING THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT REAGAN IN THE TICKETED SECTION ALSO WITH AN EARPHONE LISTENING TO RADIO COVERAGE WHEN THE ANNOUNCER SAID THE US HOSTAGES HAD JUST LEFT IRANIAN AIRSPACE.

22 Years? My, it has gone too fast!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Reporting to Boiler technician -A- school Great Lakes Naval Base chigago Ill.

[habs4ever]

I was off to see Bruce Springsteen at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens on that blessed day, and I was filled with a sense of hope for the future.I was kinda hoping Bruce would have seen it the same way that night.Little did I know he is a yellow dog Dem.

He rocked the house that night.

[mombonn]

I was sitting in a rocking chair, holding my nearly 5-month old baby girl. What a glorious time that was - a new baby, a WONDERFUL new president, and the release of the hostages.

[demkicker]

We were living in Tyler, Texas, glued to the television.

[Digger]

Just remember this man will be continually villified in the elite-owned press forever. Why? Because he was NOT "bought & paid for"by the elites & was above blackmail. He was a man for the people. Oh sure, he had to hand out some goodies to the elites & commies but his main thrust was the Americans. You want somebody to protect your borders today - this would have been the man. You want that little tin-horn in Korea to shut up fast? He would have been the man. You want a president that walked out of talks with the Soviets rather than appease? Here's your man. May God bless him.

[8mmMauser]

Well,,,, I was there, Advance Man during the campaign and Inaugural Committee at the moment, eyewitness. Long time Reaganite, long time appointee.

[NewYorker]

I was on Capitol Hill at the exact right moment and had a front-row view of this very scene - the Reagans leaving the Capitol. It's one of my most cherished memories.

[dware]

I was almost five years old...

I remember being at my grandparent's house, where they watched the ceremony. Of course, at five years old, it didn't mean a whole lot to me. Nonetheless, my grandparents tried their best to explain what was happening, and why it was important. Now I wish I had paid more attention.

This last January 2001, I sat with my 6 & 7 year olds, and did my best to explain it to them...

[maxwellp]

I was working in New York City at the time of President Reagan's first election and what I remember the most is that even before he was sworn in as President, Iran released the American hostages and I went to the Wall Street parade for them. Then I was astounded and so very happy at his overwhelming vote for a second term. Rush Limbaugh mentioned something today about some actor, Clooney, attacking President Reagan. Well, Clooney it's very sad when you attack a very ill man who was the greatest President in my lifetime. Very sad and pathetic and if they offered to let me see one of your movies for free I'd say "No thanks". God Bless President Reagan and God Bless America! And I beg all good Americans to skip Clooney's movies.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I was taking a day's vacation from work to watch the inauguration festivities. A year before, I fancied myself a far-left radical; between Carter's ineptness and Reagan's common-sense talk, I slowly turned right from left and have never looked back. I owe Reagan a lot for showing me a better way. God Bless the Gipper!

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...I wonder how Reagan would've handled Iraq and North Korea?...

"The bombing begins in five minutes!"

[Nowhere Man]

I was 14 years old, in 8th grade, probably in Mr. Merges' social study class in Moon Area Junior High (now called "Middle School" icky PC term, blechhhh) at the time he officially took office I remember coming home watching the re-runs of it on TV and seeing the news when the hostages were released from Iran. When Ronald Reagan said "they left Iranian airspace 20 minutes ago," it sent good feeling chills up my spine. It still does. I felt it was a new era in America, it's a shame we had to go through 8 years of Hell with Slick Willie. Well, I get much of the same feeling with President George W. Bush, perhaps he isn't exactly like Ronald Reagan, but then again, there is only one Ronald Reagan anyways. B-)

Getting back to our hostages, back in 1999, I finally took a drive up to Hermitage PA to see the cemetery where the 444 flags stood honoring our hostages, it was a moving experience as well. I plan to go up again this year I hope.

[maxwellp]

"I wonder how Reagan would've handled Iraq and North Korea".

I've always wondered, in addition to Iraq and North Korea, how President Reagan would have handled the Elian Gonzales situation. I like to thank that President Reagan would have said "Hey, Fidel, you want Elian, come to the United States and get him - otherwise here he is and here he stays - in a free country". I don't think Iraq and North Korea would have even made any threats against the USA with Reagan as President. God, keep President Reagan close.

[Republican Wildcat]

I was an embryo.

[day10]

I agree with your thoughts re: Elian Gonzalez - Reagan would have said "the boy stays and that's the end of it".

If you haven't already read it, I highly recommend the book "When Character was King" by Peggy Noonan. A quick read, but well written. There is a part where she takes her early teens son to the Reagan library and introduces him to Reagan (clearly before he got too ill). Guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes.

[cmsgop]

I was 11, living at the Rotunda Apt Complex in Mc Lean,Va with Sam Donaldson living in the same building. True Story...

[amused]

I was 5 so my memory is a bit hazy. ;-)

[inflorida]

I was six years old and at Reagan's inauguration with my dad.

[AK2KX]

I was 17 years old, working the broiler at the Burger King in Brighton, MI when the news came over the radio we had playing in the manager's area back of the kitchen.