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Reagan: An American Hero

Powerful Convictions and the Success of His Presidency

Ronald Wilson Reagan's presidency and his legacy was and shall forever endure as an exemplary standard for all Americans who uphold the sacred tenets of our Republic. Although there are far grander tributes in his name, there can never be overmany for the greatest president in my lifetime.

From Humble Beginnings

Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, was born February 6th, 1911 in rural Tampico, Illinois. The Reagan family consisted of his father, John Edward, his mother, Nelle Wilson and older brother Neil. The Reagan family lived in several small Illinois towns before settling in Dixon, the place Ronald Reagan considered his hometown. He graduated from Dixon High School in 1928 and went on to attend Eureka College, a small liberal arts institution near Peoria, Illinois. He majored in economics and sociology, participated in various sports, and graduated in 1932 at the height of the Great Depression.

Although the unemployment rate in the country stood at 25 percent, Ronald Reagan managed to land a job as sportscaster at WOC Radio in Davenport, Iowa. WOC later consolidated with WHO in Des Moines, and he gained national media exposure recreating Chicago Cubs baseball games from the studio.

In 1937, Reagan enlisted in the Army Reserve as a private, but was soon promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry. He applied for combat aviation but was turned down due to vision problems. That same year, one of his friends arranged for him to take a screen test at Warner Brother's studios. He was hired on the spot and suddenly was a successful Hollywood actor, appearing in more than 50 films.

A Political Awakening

In 1942, Lieutenant Ronald Reagan was called to active duty by the Army Air Force. Capitalizing on his film experience, Lt. Reagan was assigned to 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California where he assisted in the production of over 400 training films. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1943 and discharged on December 9th, 1945, allowing him to resume his acting career.

During the ensuing years, Ronald Reagan became more involved in the political scene by supporting Harry Truman for president in 1948 and Helen Gahagan Douglas for the Senate in 1950. It was around this time that Reagan began to experience disillusionment with the ever-expanding socialistic views of the Democratic Party, ultimately switching affiliation to the Republican Party.

In 1964, Ronald Reagan delivered a stirring speech on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, calling up romantic visions of an America of a bygone era. He captivated the throng when he declared that "We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth." Although Goldwater lost the election, Ronald Reagan, the handsome, articulate Hollywood actor was in the political spotlight. He was now recognized by all as a serious political figure with an intellect that complimented his humility. Backed by several wealthy businessmen in Southern California, Ronald Reagan won a landslide victory over Democratic incumbent Edmund Brown during the 1966 race for California Governor. He began his highly successful eight years as California's governor January 3, 1967.

Heeding The Nation's Desperate Plea

Ronald Reagan made unsuccessful presidential bids in 1968 and 1976, losing the GOP party nomination in both cases. Proving the adage that "the third time's a charm," he won the Republican Party nomination in 1980, when the nation wallowed in one of the lowest points in its history. He went on to win the presidency in a ridiculously lopsided tally by appealing to the common sense and innate goodness of the American people.

President Ronald Wilson Reagan won America's respect with his greatness and won its love with his graciousness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom. During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt and, because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny.

Where once the failed presidency of Jimmy Carter infected America and her people with years of despondency at home and the black bile of defeatism abroad, Ronald Reagan infused us with hope, exorcised our self-doubts, and renewed within us the American ethic that all dreams are possible if you are committed and then work to make it so.

Under President Reagan's leadership, America once again saw her strength, honor, and prestige restored. He taught us all that it is important to stand by your principles, even when doing so guarantees condemnation. He understood that honorable people must honestly mean and live by what they say and do, but to do so with humility and integrity. He served as an example over a period of four decades, illustrating to all that it is right and proper to be a reflection of who we are and what we believe.

Despite constant, vicious attacks from the Left and held in contempt by the Republican Establishment, Reagan was elected and re-elected in two landslides and earned the support of millions of blue-collar democrats. When he left office he still enjoyed a 63 percent approval rating, a public approval benchmark the likes of which no other modern president can boast.

Ronald Reagan remains loved and honored throughout the world and, as those historians without political axes to grind accurately predicted, is today universally considered to be one of America's greatest presidents. This remarkable man lived by and believed in the words for which he is noted:

"When challenged, look for positive outcomes. When knocked down, get up. When wrong, accept responsibility. When others are in need, help." -- Ronald Reagan