This One's for the Gipper

Tomorrow, Papa, Ab, Tam and I will take a two-hour, scenic drive "down south" to the Reagan Library to pay our final respects to the President. I arranged to take a half day off from work to do this, since I think it’s such a historic opportunity, especially for Abbie. Some day she’ll be able to tell her children and grandchildren about being one of those many people who passed President Reagan’s casket before he was laid to rest after his long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tonight, I sent my condolences to Mrs. Reagan via the Reagan Library’s website. Who knows if she’ll ever really read what I wrote, but it felt good to do it. I told her how much I admired the strong love that she shared with the President, and how it was an example of the deepest devotion, respect and the sanctity of marriage.

Then I told Mrs. Reagan about my oldest daughter sharing the President’s birthday; February 6th, and how she once sent the President a birthday card when she was about 9 years old. As she sat there wondering what to say to the big guy, my Uncle Lee told her that she could send the President a dollar of her birthday money to help with the Federal deficit. Uncle Lee had to explain to her exactly what the deficit was, and when she understood, she told President Reagan that if "all kids would send in just one dollar from their birthday money, we wouldn’t have a deficit anymore!" Tam then asked the President to stop in for dinner, if he ever happened to be in the neighborhood!

Unfortunately, a few months later the White House returned her dollar with a terse note saying that they "could not receive monetary contributions." But, shortly thereafter, Tam received another envelope containing a letter from the President, himself! Signed and everything!

Mr. Reagan commented about how thoughtful she was, thanked her for the card and said he was always glad to hear from young Americans. We promptly framed the letter and Tam became his biggest fan! (So what if it was written by an aide to an aide, and stamped with his signature!)

Now, of course at 31 years of age, Tam realizes the significance of that special letter and she wants to show her respect to that great American in death.

I think that’s pretty special.

I am hoping that Ab will someday also recognize the importance of the day she participated in history.

Here’s the computer generated response I received after sending my message to Mrs. Reagan:

Monday, June 07, 2004

Dear Ms. Lisa (omitted purposely), 

On behalf of Mrs. Reagan and all of us affiliated with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, I want to thank you for signing our condolence book.

Your act of kindness will be shared with Mrs. Reagan and while she will not be able to respond personally, please know how much she appreciates your thoughtfulness. Your message along with all the messages we receive will be stored permanently at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum -- the place Ronald Reagan built to preserve his legacy.

As you may know, we have established the Ronald Reagan Memorial Fund to support programs and activities at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum that will forever perpetuate the timeless principles that Ronald Reagan championed -- Individual Liberty, Economic Opportunity, Global Democracy, and National Pride. If you are interested in more information about this program, please refer to our web site at http://www.reaganfoundation.org/welcome.asp

Sincerely,

Duke Blackwood
Executive Director