Michael Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, with RPV Chair Pat Mullins.
Reagan received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks at Saturday's RPV Reagan dinner in Richmond commemorating the 100th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth.
At the conclusion of the program, a line quickly formed as dinner guests patiently waited to see Michael who greeted folks for an hour until every person in line had the opportunity to talk with him.
"It's morning in America." The famous 1984 Reagan for President ad played from the oversized screens at Saturday night's tribute in honor of President Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday as part of a video tribute at an event that featured his son, Michael Reagan, as the keynote speaker.
Close to 600 people watched the screen from the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott in downtown Richmond, some teary-eyed as scenes from throughout the life of this beloved president were shown and highlights from his life were featured: the "Morning in America" television ad, his remarks to a grieving nation after the space shuttle disaster, two presidential elections, his famous "Tear down this wall" speech ... his "long goodbye" to the nation with a "final word to the Reagan revolution" upon learning he had Alzheimer's ... Margaret Thatcher, unable to fly to Reagan's funeral but determined to honor him, sadly remembering him in a recorded eulogy by remarking, "I lost a dear friend."
After the video played, President Reagan's oldest son, Michael, was standing at the podium as every person in the room got to their feet and applauded his father and him. As they sat down, he looked at George Allen sitting at the table directly in front of him and asked, "How's it feel to be the son of an icon?" and added, "I want to thank my dear friends, the Allens."
He talked about Virginia's great leadership and the fact that we "get" it here as far as jobs and the economy and joked, "Want to come help us in California?"
He recalled his father's 1976 speech that few talk about when Gerald Ford received the GOP presidential nomination and, after completing his remarks, asked Reagan to come on the stage and give a few comments. While making their way there, Reagan asked Nancy, "What will I say?" and she replied, "Oh, honey, you'll think of something."
And, indeed, he thought of something to say. He talked about a letter he had been asked to write for a time capsule that was to be opened on America's 300th birthday. He had asked himself, "What do I write? Do I write about today's freedoms knowing those on the 300th birthday may not be able to read the letter if our freedoms are gone?" He shared that story with the 1976 delegates at the convention.
Michael talked about growing up in a privileged world. However, his dad taught him to be a fiscal conservative and he relayed the story of asking his dad for a raise to his allowance when he was nine years old. They were driving to the ranch and during the entire ride his dad explained all the reasons why he didn't need a raise in his allowance. Michael joked that by the time they arrived at the ranch, he was ready to give half his allowance back to his father.
President Reagan's favorite color? Yellow ... because it was the color of the morning sun. He believed in positive television ads and, thus, the "Morning in America" ad. It's time to get back to morning in America ... uplift Americans ... without America, the world would not be free. (My parents who lived through WW II were sitting with me ... my mom whose brother was killed in action and my step-dad who is a veteran.) President Reagan was a coalition builder with his famous 80/20 rule ... "If we agree 80% of the time, we can work together" ... he joked about the 1981 assassination attempt but the experience caused him to became an even deeper man of faith.
Michael introduced the audience to RightChange.com and an ad, "What Would Reagan Do?" dealing with Libya and the striking differences in the way President Reagan handled it and how President Obama handled it. Obama, Michael added, is trying to be a community organizer at a time when the world needs a leader.
When he wrapped up his remarks, the audience gave him another standing ovation as RPV Chairman Pat Mullins walked on stage and thanked him. The dinner concluded and Michael stood at the front of the room for an hour afterward shaking hands, posing for photos, and signing autographs, until every person in line had a chance to talk with him.
The evening was bittersweet as the VCU Final Four game played on large screens and we watched them lose but were proud of their accomplishments.
A pre-dinner message from Governor Bob McDonnell explaining that he was at the VCU game in Houston brought a chuckle from the crowd when he said, "Virginia is for lovers ... of elections."
It was a who's who of Republicans and community leaders and offered the opportunity for all to come together to honor a great President.
Previous posts:
- George & Susan Allen at RPV Reagan dinner
- Richmond, the Governor, and VCU Rams
Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
2 April 2011
Close to 600 people watched the screen from the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott in downtown Richmond, some teary-eyed as scenes from throughout the life of this beloved president were shown and highlights from his life were featured: the "Morning in America" television ad, his remarks to a grieving nation after the space shuttle disaster, two presidential elections, his famous "Tear down this wall" speech ... his "long goodbye" to the nation with a "final word to the Reagan revolution" upon learning he had Alzheimer's ... Margaret Thatcher, unable to fly to Reagan's funeral but determined to honor him, sadly remembering him in a recorded eulogy by remarking, "I lost a dear friend."
After the video played, President Reagan's oldest son, Michael, was standing at the podium as every person in the room got to their feet and applauded his father and him. As they sat down, he looked at George Allen sitting at the table directly in front of him and asked, "How's it feel to be the son of an icon?" and added, "I want to thank my dear friends, the Allens."
He talked about Virginia's great leadership and the fact that we "get" it here as far as jobs and the economy and joked, "Want to come help us in California?"
He recalled his father's 1976 speech that few talk about when Gerald Ford received the GOP presidential nomination and, after completing his remarks, asked Reagan to come on the stage and give a few comments. While making their way there, Reagan asked Nancy, "What will I say?" and she replied, "Oh, honey, you'll think of something."
And, indeed, he thought of something to say. He talked about a letter he had been asked to write for a time capsule that was to be opened on America's 300th birthday. He had asked himself, "What do I write? Do I write about today's freedoms knowing those on the 300th birthday may not be able to read the letter if our freedoms are gone?" He shared that story with the 1976 delegates at the convention.
Michael talked about growing up in a privileged world. However, his dad taught him to be a fiscal conservative and he relayed the story of asking his dad for a raise to his allowance when he was nine years old. They were driving to the ranch and during the entire ride his dad explained all the reasons why he didn't need a raise in his allowance. Michael joked that by the time they arrived at the ranch, he was ready to give half his allowance back to his father.
President Reagan's favorite color? Yellow ... because it was the color of the morning sun. He believed in positive television ads and, thus, the "Morning in America" ad. It's time to get back to morning in America ... uplift Americans ... without America, the world would not be free. (My parents who lived through WW II were sitting with me ... my mom whose brother was killed in action and my step-dad who is a veteran.) President Reagan was a coalition builder with his famous 80/20 rule ... "If we agree 80% of the time, we can work together" ... he joked about the 1981 assassination attempt but the experience caused him to became an even deeper man of faith.
Michael introduced the audience to RightChange.com and an ad, "What Would Reagan Do?" dealing with Libya and the striking differences in the way President Reagan handled it and how President Obama handled it. Obama, Michael added, is trying to be a community organizer at a time when the world needs a leader.
When he wrapped up his remarks, the audience gave him another standing ovation as RPV Chairman Pat Mullins walked on stage and thanked him. The dinner concluded and Michael stood at the front of the room for an hour afterward shaking hands, posing for photos, and signing autographs, until every person in line had a chance to talk with him.
The evening was bittersweet as the VCU Final Four game played on large screens and we watched them lose but were proud of their accomplishments.
A pre-dinner message from Governor Bob McDonnell explaining that he was at the VCU game in Houston brought a chuckle from the crowd when he said, "Virginia is for lovers ... of elections."
It was a who's who of Republicans and community leaders and offered the opportunity for all to come together to honor a great President.
Previous posts:
- George & Susan Allen at RPV Reagan dinner
- Richmond, the Governor, and VCU Rams
Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
2 April 2011
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