The cheerless helicopters overhead, the heart-rending rings of
my telephone, and the now blurring echoes of my television make it
insufferably clear: Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United
States, has passed away.
The Gipper, as some of his old admirers called him, answered the
calls of his family, people and country during his life. On
Saturday, at the age of 93, Reagan answered his final call.
Ten years ago, Reagan announced he was afflicted with
Alzheimer’s, a treacherous disease that is characterized by
rapid memory loss. Reagan fought and now has given in to this
disease. His good words and deeds here on earth will not survive if
our own memory succumbs as well.
It seems that during his life, Reagan dipped his hand into all
the vessels of the American dream.
At a young age, Reagan had already developed an admirable sense
of patriotism.
As a young man in Hollywood, Reagan struck an emotional chord
when he uttered, “Ask them to go in there and win one for the
Gipper” in a movie. It was also in Hollywood where he met his
wife, Nancy Reagan. Their marriage was strong and inspiring.
As governor of California, Reagan’s political ability and
human character took root. Throughout his terms, he visited
families in black neighborhoods incognito, with no press around, to
talk about racism and unfair hiring practices. In one short year,
he got thousands of people off welfare and into productive jobs.
When he was asked by his conservative supporters to run for
president, Reagan replied, “A candidate doesn’t make
the decision whether to run for president; the people make it for
him.”
As president of the United States, Reagan furthered his economic
and political objectives. He told Americans to be optimistic and he
gave them reason to be. Through important tax reforms, Reagan
founded an era of economic growth. With determination and without
compromise, he won the Cold War, the most perilous war in human
history, without plunging our nation into combat. Reagan’s
immortal words, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
still conjure up feelings of hope and patriotism.
In another sobering situation, when the air-traffic controllers
went on strike in 1981 despite a provision in their contract
prohibiting strikes, Reagan declared, “They are in violation
of the law, and if they do not report for work within 48 hours,
they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated.”
President Ronald Reagan moved a nation. His moral clarity,
resolve, optimism and Americanism brought Republicans and Democrats
together. The man was at once a leader and a friend ““
simultaneously cheerful and intent. He was strongly ideological yet
very much bipartisan. Today, Reagan is survived not only by his
wife and children, but also by the American people. For the
American people are the true heirs to Reagan’s ideals and the
only medium for their full attainment.
A friend reminded me that Reagan’s passing should be
marked by celebration and remembrance, not sorrow. Yet it is hard
to remember the contributions of one great man to one great nation
and then realize that he is no longer with us.
I take solace in the fact that Reagan’s passing might
rekindle a feeling of unity in America, from the diplomat in
Washington to the activist in Berkeley. What Reagan wanted is for
all Americans to be Americans ““ and realize that for all its
imperfections and shortcomings, the United States remains a fort
firmly rooted in values, fueled by the creativity of its people and
made eminent through its reputed regard for the individual.
Reagan projected and proved the truth of this uplifting message.
At times, it seemed it might never come true, but Reagan would hear
none of this. He might say, as he once did, “No arsenal or no
weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will
and moral courage of free men and women.” He will never
inspire this nation again.
In his farewell letter to the nation in 1994, Ronald Reagan
wrote: “When the Lord calls me home, whenever that day may
be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours
and eternal optimism for its future.”
I take solace in the thought that Reagan is now in a better
place ““ whether that is heaven, history or the eternal soul
and spirit of the American people. I am neither a scholar of
religion nor a master of history. But from what I know of the
American people, I say that Reagan’s dreams are in good
hands. And so, he might continue to lift us, always and
forever.
Hovannisian is a first-year history and philosophy student.
E-mail him at ghovannisian@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.