QandO: "Memories that become legend. Legend fades..."

June 05, 2004

"Memories that become legend. Legend fades..."
Posted by Jon Henke

The White House has learned that the health of former President Ronald Reagan is deteriorating. A source familiar with the situation surrounding former President Reagan's health said his death could be soon.

I think it's safe to say Ronald Reagan is one of the most beloved Presidents in our nations history. At a moment like this, I'm reminded of the Smithsonian exhibit "The American Presidency", which first impressed upon me the many different roles a President has to both play and balance.

Commander in Chief | Chief Executive | Chief Diplomat | Ceremonial Head of State | Manager of the Economy | Party Leader | National Leader

Whether it be his decisive confrontation of communism, his daring, but correct, steadiness during the recession of the early 80s, his reinvigoration of the Republican Party, or the moving and motivational speeches for which he was known, Ronald Reagan consistently displayed the one thing that put him head and shoulders above any other US politician: Leadership. He was a Lion.

Ronald Reagan was The President.

Supporters and critics may battle over his legacy for years to come, but I think his place in history is safe. I simply don't know of any other politician who can inhabit the Presidency in the way that Ronald Reagan did.

With that in mind - and with apologies to my co-blogger - I'll post something Dale wrote on Reagans birthday last year, and posted earlier this year.

Dear President Reagan;

I wish you could read this, and remember the great things you did for our country.

I wish you could know how radically you changed the world for the better.

I wish you could recall how they did tear down that wall.

I wish you could see how many people live their lives in peace and freedom today because of what you said, and what you did.

I wish you could feel the deep gratitude and appreciation so many of us have for your courage and leadership.

But we remember, and we know, and we won't forget.

Godspeed, Mr. President. Godspeed.

UPDATE: The Gipper has passed.

One of the seminal memories of my childhood was the day Ronald Reagan was shot. At the time, I only knew my afternoon cartoons had been pre-empted. I called into the kitchen..."Mom, the President was shot", not knowing the full import of what I'd said. For some reason, child though I was, I stayed around for quite a bit of that afternoon, watching the news, upset that my cartoons were gone, but knowing that - whatever was happening - it was Important.

And while a whole nation worried, Ronald Reagan - bullet near his heart - was telling jokes.

I'm not sure why I relate that particular incident. It's certainly not the most important of his life, or even his Presidency....but it was indicative of the man. And it was important to me.

When the Gipper opens his eyes again, there will be angels holding his hand. I think Nancy knows about them. I hope they're all Republicans.

UPDATE: You can leave your condolences for Mrs Reagan here. This is what I wrote...

Tonight, my 2-year old son and I sat down in front of the TV to watch an old Ronald Reagan speech on tv. "Listen to this, Alex", I told him, "it's important. That man is Ronald Reagan." "Yes", he said, but he didn't understand.

But, one day, he will. I'll tell him.

I owe it to my son to tell him that he is free, and to tell him of the people who helped make that possible.

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Comments

Above all, Reagan was a truly humble man. It's been said that the last personal item he took from the White House was a sign he'd hung in the Oval Office. The sign read, "It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you aren't worried about who gets the credit."

I know some people who are going to celebrate the day he dies; they have kept a bottle of champagne in their refrigerator for years in anticipation of that day. I no longer speak to them, I consider such an attitude hateful and evil. I hope their champagne turns as bitter in their mouths as their souls are.

Posted by: Steverino at June 5, 2004 01:05 PM

"[...] but I think his place in history is safe."

I wish I felt so sanguine about that prospect.

President Reagan was the right man in the right place at the right time. He was not perfect, but he was a great leader and a great president who changed both the country and the world forever. Many hate him exactly for that, because those changes he brought showed up just how wrong they were. They will never forgive him for that, never stop trying to tear down his legacy, and, sadly, we have become a society that allows history to be written by the losers.

Myria

Posted by: Myria at June 5, 2004 02:25 PM

I hated Reagan when he was president...But God I'm glad that the American had the vision to elect him president now.

Posted by: John Rogers at June 5, 2004 03:37 PM

R.I.P. Mr Reagan

Posted by: shark at June 5, 2004 04:55 PM

Some idiot commenting over at Oliver Willis's site said that Truman did more to end the Cold War than Reagan did. My eyes still roll at typing those words. Willis, to his credit, posted some gracious comments on Reagan's passing.

Posted by: Steverino at June 5, 2004 08:49 PM

Thanks for the link for condolences. I feel a sadness distinctly tempered by the certainty that Reagan lived a full life of historic greatness, and that he has rode away from his recent maladies to the final reward. God Bless.

Posted by: Chris at June 5, 2004 09:04 PM

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/6/5/171258/8003

http://www.epenthesis.org/archives/003383.php

Posted by: Anon at June 6, 2004 06:52 PM

Let it be noted that there were giants in the land in these days, and I am humbled to have been alive to know of, and be led by one such as he. All the naysayers in the world couldn't collectively hold his cufflinks on their best day.

Posted by: Jay at June 6, 2004 07:35 PM