Posted on 06/11/2004 11:31:02 AM PDT by Al Simmons
President Bush's eulogy of Ronald Reagan was absolutely magnificent. It brought all to laughter when recounting the late President's sense of humor; then moved us all to tears, and inspired us as well.
Most of all it reminded all of us of who he was, where he had come from, how gentle and kind he was - praying for John Hinckley while in the hospital before praying to the Lord himself, for, as he wrote in his diary, how could God hear his prayer if he still had hate in his heart for the mixed-up young man who had shot him.
We all thought we knew Reagan - but in this last week we learned so much more about Reagan the man - who loved God, loved his fellow man, never had a cross word to say about anyone, and made sure to stop by and say hello to everyone from officials to the janitor in the White House.
One of the most poignant stories was when he was recuperating in the hospital after being shot - he accidentally spilled some water at the sink; and though very weak, the secret service man found him on his hands and knees mopping up the water with paper towels - looking up and remarking that he did not want the nurses to have to do it.
He was a great president, one of our greatest ever;
He was a great American, embodying all that was, and is, best in the American spirit;
He was a great, humble, and kind man who chose to always believe in the best in people;
and, finally,
He was a servant of His God, who truly Did Justly, Loved Mercy, and Walked Humbly with his God.
He is now with Maureen, his daughter, and though he only saw through a glass darkly in his final years, he now sees His Lord face to face.
Even his moment of death was filled with meaning; As his breathing grew labored, and Nancy, Ron and Patti gathered closer, a miraculous event happened - this man, who had not spoken a word in years, this man, who had not opened his eyes in a week, suddenly opened his eyes for one last time, eyes not clouded, but once again focused, twinkling, and full of life - and with those eyes he looked deep into Nancy's eyes for a moment, then closed them and was gone.
What happened there you say? Well, I believe that as the last waters of life slowly ebbed from his person, his Lord Jesus took him by the hand, and with his mind and body restored, His Savior allowed him one last moment here on earth as a way of telling his beloved Nancy "It is going to be alright....I will see you again soon..."
May God Bless Ronald Reagan, and may God bless the United States of America.
Same thing happened to me when I saw my Grandmother alive for the last time. She had been in a nursing home for a long time and I was in the service. I went to see her and stood beside her bed, she opened her eyes and they twinkled for just a moment and I thought she would speak to me, and she did, through her eyes. A moment I will never forget.
Al, you said what I've been thinking. His last moment on earth happened as he was being restored for heaven.
The funeral was a lovely tribute to the man Ronald Reagan.
Bush was ok, until he got to the final lines about Jesus, then his speech soared. Mulroney's speach was very good, and Thatcher's tribute was, well, perfect.
As Brian Kilmeade would say..... "Good Job Al."
That was beautiful..thank you!
The entire meeting, and particularly President Bush's remarks (which I view as one of his best speeches to date) was absoultely the most moving and spiritual meeting I have ever witnessed outside of my own wedding and the funeral for my own father.
It will be remembered in years to come as an historic event that will have great impact on the people of America, our voting and institutions and I believe on the world population that witnessed it.
Ronald Reagan serves the cause of freedom even after his death and his legacy continues to grow...and it is because he epitomized that faith and heritage that made this nation what it is...and then he went about living it.
The entire service was a testament to the faith, heritage and strength of America and laid it out for the world to see...including our enemies, foreign and domestic. It also made plain the strength of those convictions and values and how they can bring down tyranny and change the world...as the life of this great man demonstrates.
It was a literal ANSWER TO PRAYER.
I know one thing, I have never seen so much spit and polish.
The military has really been spectacular in this, all the planning and execution...wonderful.
America at its best.
It is a lesson I wish Sarah Brady had learned. Instead of taking out her grief and anger on the innocent and law abiding, she could have strove for better mental health care, research and treatment of people like Hinkley who shot her husband. Instead, she has saved no more lives, expended funds and energy on a perceived enemy, rather than help the mentally ill. Reagan knew where the fault lie.
That picture just takes my breath away..there are so many creative folks on FR!
Thank you very much.
Great image, great tagline. God bless you and your son.
Thank you. I know I am blessed with a such a wonderful child.
Bush was ok, until he got to the final lines about Jesus, then his speech soared. Mulroney's speach was very good, and Thatcher's tribute was, well, perfect.
I very much agree. The most sentimental moment to me was when the elder Bush had a difficult time continuing. Actually had to pause for a moment to collect himself. Especially powerful because it was so unlike the man.
I was also very impressed by Brian Mulroney. A very classy guy, who seemed to have deep personal love for the Reagans.
Oh man, I'm going to lose it again! [It's been this way all week...]. Thanks for writing this.
Even Sam Donaldson said that W's speech was probably the best of his career.
A film with a split screen should be made showing the president's processional into the capital building, and an arab leader's funeral at the same time. And this film should be put in a timecapsul.
It was so august as to be awesome. I hope all of America's friends, and especially her enemies, were watching. Anyone who doubted American strength, sincerity, or seriousness has received an education this week. The pageantry has left an indelible impression of American greatness.
A thousand years from now, people will study the videos of today's events to gain an understanding of the American psyche. They will try to imagine what it must have felt like to watch it as an American on this day, and will fail.
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