By: R. Duke Blackwood - Ronald Reagan: An Essay on the Legacy of an American Icon.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute
A nonprofit organization dedicated to completing President Reagan’s unfinished work and preserving his principles.
“Saying Goodbye”
By: R. Duke Blackwood
Director of the Reagan Library, 2000-2022
As much planning went into laying President? Reagan to rest, nothing adequately prepared us for the actual event.? Of all the historic scenes that played out for millions across the globe, there was one that epitomized the effect that Ronald Reagan had on people.? His reach and touch were profound. ?
Beginning at 12:00 noon on June 7, 2004, Ronald Reagan lay in repose at his Presidential Library.? The staging area for the buses that would take mourners wanting to say a final goodbye at the Library was at Moorpark College, 8.3 miles away.? By 1:00 a.m., the traffic was backed up at least 10 miles on the 118 freeway.? On the Moorpark campus, the line for those wanting to pay their respect weaved for over a mile. ?
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People of all ages, colors, and stripes patiently waited their turn.? Parents held their sleeping children, strangers talked to each other about their memories of the President, and even a grandson pushed his grandmother on a desk chair that someone had located for her.
The mood was respectful and reflective. The mourners were polite as they engaged with total strangers.? When we offered our apologies for the long lines, not one person complained.? ‘It’s an honor to be here,’ they told us.
I asked a mother and her teenage son exiting a returning bus how long she had waited in line?? ‘Which line?’ she questioned.? Then told us that it took twelve hours just to get off the freeway, two hours in line at the college, an hour each way on the bus, and another hour at the Library.? Seventeen total hours they had waited to spend a couple of emotional minutes to say goodbye to our 40th president.
Stunned, I told her that we were so very sorry.? She looked at me with tired, compassionate eyes and said, “I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
NOTE: Approximately 118,000 people in 34 hours said their final goodbye to President Ronald Reagan at his Library.
Salesperson at Brown Harris Stevens
5 个月It appears we won’t have another true leader like him again ??
Duke, the Reagan Library is what it is because your care & concern & respect for the Reagans is all over it. Your efforts around the Reagans funerals cared both for the family & a mourning nation. I didn’t have the opportunity to say goodbye when you left. I hope our paths can cross sometime again!! All the best my friend!
Radiation and Medical Oncology, Software solutions, Urology, Hospital, Medical Device, Cardiology, Neuroscience, Capitol Equipment, VA & DOD, Marketing, Business Development, Planning, Blogger,
5 个月I’ve visited the Reagan library and it took me two days because of this man’s amazing life. Whatever party you belong to this guy loved America and Americans. I read a story that Reagan would send is own personal money to help Americans in need. A $75 check he sent to help a woman with utilities wasn’t cashed & the 90 days to cash was closing in. So Reagan himself called her & asked why she hadn’t cashed the check. She said she was great admire of him & wanted to sell the check to collectors. So Reagan offered a compromise and would send a check to cash. She said you can send it but I will do the same thing . So the wise Reagan did this; signed a photograph & sent her a cashier check!!! No matter your opinion & views Reagan was a life well lived. That funeral was amazing too. DC streets were full. Families with kids who probably not born yet came out to watch the many ceremonies in DC. When he got to California and up the hill to what would be his future presidential library. The sun was begging to set. The minster said kind words & off to eternity went Ronald Reagan American!
Principal, Becerra Strategies
5 个月Thank you Duke for this beautiful remembrance. I was fortunate to have been able to take my family to the library to pay our respects during this moment in history. I was overwhelmed by just how grateful everyone was who got to say thank you and goodbye to our 40th President.
Pipe Fabrication planner at Austin Industries 40 years at same plant TOTAL Eng
5 个月Mr. Duke, I would like to say you are a dam!! good Planner ?? Cause, I do Planning for a livening, at a Plant and, I would not!! want to do that plan for American Greatest President we had. So, hats off to Sir, and you have a nice and safe week, if you need a job let me know. ??