This week marks the fourth anniversary of the death of President Ronald W. Reagan. Not only did we lose a great man, and a remarkable leader, but Ronald Reagan was the last true American statesman, we are unlikely to see his kind again.
Ronald Reagan entered the Oval Office, in a most uncertain and dark time. Americans were saddled with a double-digit rate of inflation, 20% interest rates, growing unemployment, and a sense of despair. Not only were things bad at home, but our people were being held hostage abroad, as our American Embassy in Iran had fallen to Islamic terrorists. Respect for the United States and her people was fading quickly. It was the worst of times this nation had seen since The Great Depression.
President Reagan though, was not deterred by the colossal task that lay before him. He was swept into office by a landslide and knew that the country had delivered to him, an overwhelming mandate. Even before the conclusion of his inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981, Iran released the American hostages, after holding them for 444 days, during the Carter administration. Despite the false claims made by his detractors that the hostages were returned from Iran, because of some 'secret deal', or the equally ridiculous reason given by Ayatollah Khomeni (He claimed that it was just one last insult to President Carter, to release them on the day that Reagan took the oath of office.)...We all knew the real reason why our men were coming home--the Iranians were scared to death! They had two options, return the hostages or face certain destruction. Ronald Reagan would not accept another day of the Iranian hostage crisis.
Reagan really came into office with two things in mind: Restoring faith in this country and putting an end to Soviet domination. Well, he did both! Reagan turned around the economy by cutting taxes, his tax-cut was the largest in U.S. history. Reagan's "program for economic recovery" was not only responsible for the years of growth throughout the 1980's, but actually during the1990's as well. He announced plans for a 600 ship Navy and deemed the Soviet Union an "evil empire." He also announced plans for the nation's Strategic Defense Initiative and began deployment of Pershing II nuclear missiles to Europe. All of these things occurred during his first term!
In 1987, President Reagan went to the Brandenberg Gate in West Berlin and uttered those now famous words: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Of course, Gorbachev later complied! Reagan brought the "evil empire" to collapse and ended Soviet domination throughout Eastern Europe. One would be hard-pressed to find anyone now living in an Eastern European democracy, who does not love Ronald Reagan. He will forever be remembered as the most ardent of "cold-warriors."
While Reagan was a political giant, he was also a very humble man. In March of 1987, he went on national television and announced to the country that he had made mistakes during the Iran-Contra affair. It is more than rare for a sitting president to admit to anything, especially if he does not have to do so. Reagan however, was rare indeed.
President Reagan was a man of many firsts. He installed more minorities and women to cabinet positions than any other U.S. President before him. He also nominated the first woman to the U.S. Supreme Court (Sandra Day O'Connor). In 1986, he signed a bill that made Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, a national holiday. He did all of these things without a great deal of fanfare, or boasting. He just did them.
There is now a United States Navy aircraft carrier, which bares his name. There is Reagan National Airport, located in what he called "that shining city on the hill." There will undoubtedly be more memorials named in his honor, as he certainly deserves. However, his most important and his most lasting legacy will be of that which he gave to freedom-loving people everywhere. He not only gave hope, he turned that hope into action which helped create democracy, where before there had been only oppression.
I will always remember President Ronald W. Reagan as the man who had so much respect for the office of the presidency, that he would never dare enter the Oval Office without a proper shirt and tie! As I write this, I can see him walking down that long, red carpet, making his way to the White House Press Room...You just had the feeling that you were about to hear something important!
Reagan's vision, humility, and un-daunting courage in the face of adversity made him a great president. His character made him a leader.
In today´s political world of race-baiting, Senators being arrested in public bathrooms, gubernatorial sex scandals, illegal wars, and our Constitution all but forgotten by those sworn to uphold it…Most of us yearn for the simple and dignified Reagan years.
His kind is rarely seen and is now so sorely missed.
Ronald Reagan entered the Oval Office, in a most uncertain and dark time. Americans were saddled with a double-digit rate of inflation, 20% interest rates, growing unemployment, and a sense of despair. Not only were things bad at home, but our people were being held hostage abroad, as our American Embassy in Iran had fallen to Islamic terrorists. Respect for the United States and her people was fading quickly. It was the worst of times this nation had seen since The Great Depression.
President Reagan though, was not deterred by the colossal task that lay before him. He was swept into office by a landslide and knew that the country had delivered to him, an overwhelming mandate. Even before the conclusion of his inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981, Iran released the American hostages, after holding them for 444 days, during the Carter administration. Despite the false claims made by his detractors that the hostages were returned from Iran, because of some 'secret deal', or the equally ridiculous reason given by Ayatollah Khomeni (He claimed that it was just one last insult to President Carter, to release them on the day that Reagan took the oath of office.)...We all knew the real reason why our men were coming home--the Iranians were scared to death! They had two options, return the hostages or face certain destruction. Ronald Reagan would not accept another day of the Iranian hostage crisis.
Reagan really came into office with two things in mind: Restoring faith in this country and putting an end to Soviet domination. Well, he did both! Reagan turned around the economy by cutting taxes, his tax-cut was the largest in U.S. history. Reagan's "program for economic recovery" was not only responsible for the years of growth throughout the 1980's, but actually during the1990's as well. He announced plans for a 600 ship Navy and deemed the Soviet Union an "evil empire." He also announced plans for the nation's Strategic Defense Initiative and began deployment of Pershing II nuclear missiles to Europe. All of these things occurred during his first term!
In 1987, President Reagan went to the Brandenberg Gate in West Berlin and uttered those now famous words: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Of course, Gorbachev later complied! Reagan brought the "evil empire" to collapse and ended Soviet domination throughout Eastern Europe. One would be hard-pressed to find anyone now living in an Eastern European democracy, who does not love Ronald Reagan. He will forever be remembered as the most ardent of "cold-warriors."
While Reagan was a political giant, he was also a very humble man. In March of 1987, he went on national television and announced to the country that he had made mistakes during the Iran-Contra affair. It is more than rare for a sitting president to admit to anything, especially if he does not have to do so. Reagan however, was rare indeed.
President Reagan was a man of many firsts. He installed more minorities and women to cabinet positions than any other U.S. President before him. He also nominated the first woman to the U.S. Supreme Court (Sandra Day O'Connor). In 1986, he signed a bill that made Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, a national holiday. He did all of these things without a great deal of fanfare, or boasting. He just did them.
There is now a United States Navy aircraft carrier, which bares his name. There is Reagan National Airport, located in what he called "that shining city on the hill." There will undoubtedly be more memorials named in his honor, as he certainly deserves. However, his most important and his most lasting legacy will be of that which he gave to freedom-loving people everywhere. He not only gave hope, he turned that hope into action which helped create democracy, where before there had been only oppression.
I will always remember President Ronald W. Reagan as the man who had so much respect for the office of the presidency, that he would never dare enter the Oval Office without a proper shirt and tie! As I write this, I can see him walking down that long, red carpet, making his way to the White House Press Room...You just had the feeling that you were about to hear something important!
Reagan's vision, humility, and un-daunting courage in the face of adversity made him a great president. His character made him a leader.
In today´s political world of race-baiting, Senators being arrested in public bathrooms, gubernatorial sex scandals, illegal wars, and our Constitution all but forgotten by those sworn to uphold it…Most of us yearn for the simple and dignified Reagan years.
His kind is rarely seen and is now so sorely missed.
