Somehow I knew...

Somehow I knew the news was bad, and it concerned Ronald Reagan. You hear stories about people knowing a loved one is in danger, but it's always a surprise when it happens to you.

As a teenager, I grew up under the heels of the Carter years. Watching the US slowly decline towards second world status. Then came Ronald Reagan.

He offered hope, not just campaign slogans. He, like myself, knew that the United States was not through. There were doubters that proclaimed that it was the natural order of things, that things wither and die. I didn't think that was true, and neither did Ronald Reagan.

From the beginning Reagan changed things for the better. Despite a continuation of the recessions of the 1970s in mid 1981, Reagan forged ahead with his economic programs, getting them passed in late 1981. From then on, it was all upwards for the United States. The longest peace-time expansion in United State history.

Even if that was all he had accomplished he would be regarded as a great president. But that's not all he did. On the Cold War front he renewed American strength. He gave us the courage to fight, and win, the Cold War.

Even if that was all he had accomplished, he would be regarded as a great president. Ronald Reagan also brought back a moral base to the American community. One that was wallowing in drugs and relativistic morality. Despite the naysayers of so simple a strategy, he told the people that it was okay to say "no!" to things they did not approve of. And society did improve, we did become more responsible.

Even if that was all had accomplished, he would be regarded as a great president.

But he did all of those things and he was one of the greatest presidents we have ever known.

In heroic literature such people are granted peace and long life after their toils. That's what I hoped President Reagan would receive. After all, he worked one career, served his country in time of war, then worked another career serving the people of this great country. Somehow in the cosmic order such man deserves at least that much.

President Reagan has been called to battle once more, once again to lead a fight for all Americans. I hope that he once again triumphs over those who lack faith. To prove that he is not destined to wither and die.

But then how could he not triumph? After all, he is an American.