Margaret Thatcher's Eulogy to Ronald Reagan

He mended America
Through grace, under pressure!
He, through a miracle,
Improved the free world we treasure!

He was candid and tough.
Of firm mind, an example.
Rooted in humor and trust,
He lifted nations and people.

In the midst of great terror,
When hysteria could rise,
He inspired hearts to be tender
And brought down walls and built ties!

He transformed the economy
Turned enemies into friends
His accomplishments were many
The best, his example he lends

He had providence with him
As from God's word, he often spoke
We know that this great pilgrim
Knew Heaven's welcome as dawn broke

 He died June 5, 2004
As a nation we were remembering DDay's 60 year anniversary the next day.President Bush was in Paris, France honoring the heroes of WWll.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/05/reagan.health/

President Bush responded to Reagan's death in Paris, France, where he is on tour to honor the heroes of World War II on the weekend of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

"He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save. 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," Bush said. (Bush statement)

Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, said "history will give Reagan great credit for standing for principles."

"It was wonderful the way that he could take a stand, and do it without bitterness or without creating enmity with other people," said the elder Bush, who was Reagan's vice president.

Fatherhood is

Holding tight

When all is falling apart

Letting go

When you know it is your part

Making time

When duty gives the call

 With tools in tow

Giving but your all

-Ronald Reagan-Quoted in Focus on the Family

Fatherhood can sometimes be walking the floor at midnight with a baby that can’t sleep. More likely, fatherhood is repairing a bicycle wheel for the umpteenth time, knowing that it won’t last the afternoon. Fatherhood is guiding a youth through the wilderness of adolescence toward adulthood.

Fatherhood is holding tight when all seems to be falling apart; and it’s letting go when it is time to part. Fatherhood is long hours at the blast furnace or in the fields, behind the wheel or in front of a computer screen, working a 12-hour shift or doing a six-month tour of duty. It’s giving one’s all, from the break of day to its end, on the job, in the house, but most of all in the heart. 

http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/blogs/Finding_Home/2012/03/01/ronald-reagan-on-fatherhood#cf

"Berlin Wall" Speech - President Reagan's Address at the Brandenburg Gat...

Beliefs become a reality

Through freedom, truth, and faith

Becoming the fruits of society

Releasing the spirit... to create

Farewell Speech - President Reagan's Farewell Speech from the Oval Offic...

Be a communicator of great things

Rediscover patriotism and common sense

Teach what our history best brings:

A shining city of, for, and by the people, hence

click on the ronald reagan label below to read more poems related to his words

President Reagan's Radio Address to The Nation on the Observance of Moth...

Societies always need
A little reminding

It is our mothers who lead

The future we're finding

Thank you Nellie for Reagan!

Annual Reagan Lecture Featuring Mitt Romney - 5/25/10

We acknowledge all the challenges we've had
Undaunted, we are a nation that faces trials head on
Together, we the people, know how to rise up and stand
And ask one another what we can do to remain strong

With a known record, we need a decisive man
Who has built and turned things around
Who is not afraid to be the first to stand
And reunite us with our Fathers to be sound

Let us quote Ronald Reagan
A President our ears had turned to
And correct the liberal agenda
Dignifying the poor to work and be married too

Let us promote the best teachers
And give student individual choice
That they might become the highest reachers
As unions are placed last to make a voice

Let us create the conditions
For ample jobs to burst forth
Increasing entrepreneurs ambitions
Is an investment that broadens our worth

Let us decrease our spending
As well as high taxes that harm
Let us not rescue risky lending
And shorten our government's arm

Let us support our allies
While keeping our values strong
Let us righteously build up ties...
To not stand for freedom is wrong

Let us beware of engagements
That fail to put tyrants on guard
Let us not excuse the arrangements
Of rogue nations that freedom's discard

There is a mission for America
That includes all of the world
Our nation...born of many miracles
Has a banner of freedom waving unfurled

For liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we labor
If we lost our strength who would keep dictatorships in check?
As now some threaten to engulf and command their neighbors
While, without earning it, demand diplomacy and respect...

Let us strengthen America
And remember the treasure and blood
Let us each say we've had enough
And sail with the tea parties flood


See how they honor our brothers in arms by starting with a pledge to allegiance

Annual Reagan Lecture at the Reagan Library in California

Governor Romney accepted an invitation from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library and Nancy Reagan to speak at their Annual Reagan Lecture. Before the speech, Mitt and Ann met privately with the former First Lady. Governor Romney also signed copies of his book "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness" for attendees at the library in Simi Valley, California.

Here is a quote from his speech:

"When we face extraordinary challenges, Americans have risen to the occasion. And that's what makes us a unique nation. Not that we don't have problems, but that when we have them and when leaders stand up and acknowledge them and are honest about the challenges, American people stand and say 'What can I do, what must I do, to make sure that America remains strong?'."

An Interview with Mitt Romney - 5/25/2010

There is nothing inevitable about decline
As it is now and ever has been a choice
The future of our country is ours to decide
Though doing what is right might stir up some noise

Let us be true to our American heritage
As we have faced challenging times before
This is what gives us the leading edge
As then our resolve for unity is reborn

We are a shining city on a hill
Though our example is not as bright as it could be
We have glorious works to fulfill
And must meet our problems head on...honestly

The American spirit is being rekindled
Through tea parties and community action
For we recognize that we have been swindled
And refuse to leave our future to the hands of a socialist faction

I Don't Want to Go Back to the Past

I don't want to go back to the past
Save to learn how to face the future
Some left a legacy ever to last
With but faith and ingenuity... they were secure

I think of the pioneers
Who labored and pressed on
Of the posterity they reared
Who carry forth their glad song

I go inside their buildings
Carved with but old fashioned tools
And see many reliefs and gildings
Of their sacrifice...how compassion pools

For... I know some died in the challenge
As they worked unto exhaustion
And there was not always safety on a ledge
But they did their best and used caution

Now the world has become modern
The rules of sacrifice have changed
But still we need strength of character and honor
That our lofty goals might be attained

For God's ambassadors who have been called
The four corners of the world await
Let not our efforts at home be stalled
In reaching those just outside our gate

The Past Way of Facing the Future
L. Tom Perry
November Ensign 2009, 73

great quote in this talk:
I do not want to go back to the past; I want to go back to the past way of facing the future- Ronald Reagan