It's just been announced that former President Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, passed away from pneumonia. As many of you know, he also suffered from Alzheimers. Under the circumstances, I thought it befitting to create a page for the President.
For his biography, here is a link to the official Ronald Reagan website.
For inspirational quotes, you can click here.
"It is up to us...to work together for progress and humanity so that our grandchildren, when they look back at us, can truly say that we not only preserved the flame of freedom, but cast its warmth and light further than those who came before us."
- 1982
"...there is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit."
- January 21, 1981
"This country was founded and built by people with great dreams and the courage to take great risks."
- January 26, 1983
For a link to his speeches, click here.
Over the next few days, the news will highlight some of his words. Take a moment to read them. Some of them, especially his D-Day speech and his challenge to General Sec. Gorbachev are well worth the read.
Perhaps his most memorable speech came as we mourned the loss of the Challenger Crew on 28 January 1986.
...Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes, I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.
In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.
I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.
President Ronald Reagan, November 5, 1994
And with those words we say goodbye to President Reagan.
"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved good-bye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God.""
To send your condolences to Mrs. Reagan, click here.
Some Obituaries -
Lou Cannon from the Washington Post
Marilyn Berger from the New York Times
President George W. Bush on President Reagan
The Alzheimer's Association statement on the President's passing.
Lou Cannon from the Washington Post