Ronald Reagan 1911-2004

[joatmon]

The gipper is gone. I actually liked him, even voted for him. Didn't always agree with everything he did, but he was easy to respect.http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/814362.html

[AKLGT]

i know. how sad. watching the peter jennings special report on him.

[shibaman]

Like or dislike his politics he was a genuine leader. No phony! What you saw is the person he was. He will always be one of our most beloved presidents. He was a great man and loving husband.

[rasermon]

He was one of the greatest presidents to date. I was lucky enough to shake his hand and say hello while he ran for his 2nd term.

[msmyer]

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »i know. how sad. watching the peter jennings special report on him. Saw that very nicely done. I don't remember him much because during most of his term I was in my early childhood. But it is truly a "Sadden day for America."

[ColonelPanic]

I was too growing up during his time in the office. So, I don't remember much about what went on.But last night and this morning, I've been listening to NPR - they've played clips of many of his speeches. He sure did have a way with words. Very down to earth and genuine.

[Stang2Vibe]

It is such a shame that it took his death for so many of the younger people in America to recognize this man's greatness. I was 3 years old when he took office, and 11 when he left. I was fortunate enough to "discover" his greatness in my late teens and early 20's. My admiration of him constantly grows as I mature and realize the magnitude of what he faced and overcame. What others have written here so far is so true of him. He was one of the few politicians who truly epotimized the saying "what you see is what you get". And as also noted, his mannerisms, humor, style, and choice of words lent themselves to the nickname "The Great Communicator".I find it interesting that sources like NPR and Peter Jennings have had such a profoundly positive impact on viewers/listners who barely knew anything of Reagan. These sources dedicate just about all their effort to fight against everything that Reagan stood for and they would have been among the last sources that I would have aimed people toward if they asked me where they could learn more about President Reagan. That is about as close to a political statement as I am going to come in this post. I know my limits of being bound and gagged here. But I'm glad that these media outlets have had the effect on people that I see here. The media may have unwittingly unraveled themselves a little in doing so. They couldn't ignore this story, as Reagan is much too popular a President to sweep this one under the rug. I have seen polls that show that Reagan is the most popular of all modern Presidents, and consistantly ranks among the top 5 of ALL Presidents. It is my hope now that more people will examine what he stood for, why he stood for it, and reexamine their own position on some things. I can think of very few people who were as decent as President Reagan was. That is what should be remembered of him.I am still deeply saddened by his passing; I feel as if I have lost a close family member in some ways. I know that may sound strange to some, but he embodied and worked hard for things that I hold dearest to me. He was and is a hero to me. A lot of my pride in my country derives from changes that he brought about and learning about and from him has changed my life. I feel that my tears are well justified. Sadly, I will have to wait to meet him until he and I both stand in the glorious presence of our Creator in paradise.President Reagan's body will be lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda from this Wednesday evening until Thursday night. As I don't have to go to work on Thursday until 4pm, I plan to drive down to Washington late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning to pay my respects to someone who I admired so much. The full details of his funeral arrangements can be found here: http://www.ronaldreaganmemoria...5.asp The website there also has a condolence book that people are welcome to sign and make a statement to the family. I already wrote mine and sent it off. It says that Nancy and the family will receive the messages and deeply appreciate it. Link to the condolence book is here for anyone interested: https://www.ronaldreaganmemori...k.asp The site has a few tributes posted from various high-ranking foreign and domestic sources. It includes messages from Tony Blair and Mikhail Gorbachev, among others. Those can be found here: http://www.ronaldreaganmemorial.com/a_tribute.asp I would also like to state that the dedication and devotion that Nancy Reagan had for her husband is remarkable beyond words. I cannot imagine how painful it had to be for her to see her husband of over 50 years deteriorate to such a condition, especially as she ages herself. I have great respect and admiration for her as well. I could only hope to be able to marry a woman who would treat me so well as Nancy treated her "Ronnie".In conclusion of this post, I will use the words of President Reagan himself. I found words from his address to the nation after the space shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 to be appropriate and touching. "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them... as they prepared for their journey and waved good-bye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God." Ronald Wilson Reagan: February 6, 1911 -- June 5, 2004 40th President of the United States of America (1981-1989)

[kostby]

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe »I find it interesting that sources like NPR and Peter Jennings have had such a profoundly positive impact on viewers/listners who barely knew anything of Reagan. These sources dedicate just about all their effort to fight against everything that Reagan stood for and they would have been among the last sources that I would have aimed people toward if they asked me where they could learn more about President Reagan.[rant] So true! [/rant]For me, Ronald Reagan's best leadership quality was that he honestly believed tomorrow can (and should) be better than today. In his memory, world leaders should make a genuine effort to PROVE it!

[futseal04]

Just wanted to use this time to pay my respects to the greatest President that we will ever know. Thanks for defeating communism, promoting the Armed Forces, and being the straight shooter that the world needed (needs?).America misses you, Ronnie.

[ArcsVibe]

Here is a great article regarding Reagan from the Montreal Gazettehttp://www.canada.com/montreal...79ff2RIP

[Vibe]

Back in 1980 when Ronald was running for president --He came to the New Orleans airport to give a speech and with my Dad being on the Board of Directors for the airport ,I was able to personally go behind the scenes and meet Mr. Reagan. He took the time and talked to me for about 15 minutes. He was interested that I worked for the automobile industry.I have many pictures and that was a day that I will always treasure.America has lost a great icon but I feel like I lost a friend. James (Vibe)

[Stang2Vibe]

Thank you, Steve (still with tears in my eyes).I have, of course, been following the details of President Reagan's memorial services so far, as much as I have been able to. According to a statement from the director of the Reagan Presidential Library (where his coffin is currently lying in repose), the hours for mourners to come and pay their respects at the library have been extended from 6pm PDT until 10pm PDT due to overwhelming public response. I thought that this was very kind of them to extend themselves to accomodate as many people as possible.The statement also noted that as of 6am this morning, over 40,000 people have visited the library to pay their respects. Also, the wait on the freeway to get to the community college where parking has been made available was at about 3 hours at 6am. They also stated that those not in line by 3pm this afternoon will not be able to participate. That's 7 hours of waiting time. I am truly amazed that this many people have come out and are willing to wait so long for this, and in California no less! He is loved and missed by many more than I had previously thought.Yesterday evening I was riding home in a work truck from the job site with one of my co-workers whom I have come to be good friends with over the past few years. He and I share the same strong feelings on politics and religion and often talk about such things when we are alone working, riding to and from jobsites, and on breaks. I tuned in the Sean Hannity radio show on the ride home and they were playing clips from Reagan's speeches and addresses and discussing them, as well as hosting guests that were talking about the former President in general. My friend and I both had tears in our eyes as we traveled down the highway on the way home as they played some great excerpts that we admired. I have a strong suspicion that we were not alone in our sadness and admiration.I'd also like to note that for the funeral proceedings in Washington, D.C. that are going to be taking place over the next few days there will be several high ranking officials who will be paying tribute to President Reagan in various ways.At the beginning of funeral services in Washington on Wednesday, those present will include:-- (removed) Cheney, Vice President of the United States-- Denny Hastert, current Speaker of the House of Representatives-- Ted Stevens, President Pro Temps of the U.S. SenateThose participating in services at the Washington National Cathedral on Friday will include:-- G.W. Bush, President of the United States--George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States and Vice President to Ronald Reagan for both of his terms--Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain--Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada--Sandra Day O'Connor, U.S. Supreme Court JusticeI hope to be able to find someone to record the TV broadcast of these events so that I can watch them when I come home from work on Friday. I've also chosen my driving route to the Capitol and hope to arrive there by about 1am Thursday morning. Hopefully there will be less people there at that time and I can get in within about 3 hours. Now I'm off to find a small U.S. flag to fly at half antenna mast on my Vibe.

[MJN2]

Mikhail Gorbechev is supposed to attend as well.

[vibeman1]

good-by mr.Prisidentthank yourest in peace.

[Stang2Vibe]

I made my trip yesterday to Washington to pay my respects to the former President as he laid in State in the Capitol Rotunda. It was a truely amazing experience that I will never forget. The tremendous outpouring of love and gratitude from literally thousands of people, from around the world, is so touching. I waited about 3 hours exactly to reach the Rotunda and it was worth every second to me. As I stood beside the casket for a few moments, I shed a few tears and quietly said a brief prayer. The view of the city as I left the Capitol Rotunda was breathtaking.While I was in downtown D.C. I decided to do a bit of brief sightseeing as well. I've been there a few times before, so I wanted to see the newer things like the World War II Memorial. That is an incredible and beautiful monument and I highly recommend visiting it to anyone who ventures to D.C. I had my digital camera with me for the trip and will be posting pics as soon as I get a chance.Also, as I ventured around the city, I made sure to scope out the White House. Though it is obscured on all sides by trees and buildings, I managed to get a few pics of the little bit that can be seen of it. For security reasons, about 2 or 3 blocks around the perimeter are strictly off limits to the public. As I was crossing past one of the side entrance gates to the White House, I overheard the Secret Service agents there telling each other "they're on their way". I walked a few steps past the gate and heard some sirens. Then a few police motorcycles, a few police cars, and two black limos came flying through the gate at about 40-50 MPH. Here, I had just accidentally witnessed the return of President Bush from the summit in Georgia. It had to be the Presidential limo because I could plainly see that the glass was about 2 inches thick and it had a half million antennas on the trunk lid. I stood within 15 feet of 2 Presidents in one day.

[rasermon]

He is home now. He is free.I shook his hand 20 years ago and I will miss him.

[Vibe]

Good-Bye Mr Reagen------You were a true American Icon .I remember how much better the United States was under your presidency and may I say --"A Job Well Done !!"James H. Stewart,Jr.