“The house we hope to build is not for my generation but for yours. It is your future that matters. And I hope that when you are my age, you will be able to say as I have been able to say: We lived in freedom. We lived lives that were a statement, not an apology.”
I was born in the year 1985. Ronald Reagan had just entered his second term in office. Some of my earliest memories are of him.
Driving one day with my Mother, I remember asking her all sorts of questions about President Reagan, what he was doing with Russia, and what the Cold War was all about. I never really understood it, but I understood how charismatic and friendly President Reagan seemed. I remember loving his speeches, how patriotic they were. I loved that whenever I saw him, I saw an American flag too. I could sense his passion for our country, because he eminated this remarkable pride for his freedom, his responsibilities, and his people.
I’m grateful to President Reagan for making the pledge of allegiance my entire preschool class’ favorite part of the day. I’m grateful for his sense of humor, that he could make anyone laugh about anything, even when the circumstances seemed insurmountable. I love that, before his death, I was able to visit Berlin, and touch remnants of the wall that came down because of him. I’m proud to have a piece of that wall in my bedroom today, holding that historic shard in my hand right now.
And it was because of him. I knew that in 1989, despite my young age. I knew what it would mean for the people of Europe. I knew what the success meant to the American people, even though there was an ocean between us. Having spoken to many Berliners about that event, about the effect of President Reagan, I feel even prouder of my heritage as an American. All because of him.
On this day, the 60th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, I have a lot to think about. As we sing, “O beautiful for heros proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.” What does freedom mean for me? What have I sacrificed to make the world a better place? What can I do to be such an influence of freedom, optimism, and improvement, as Ronald Reagan was? How can I make my life a statement?
The death of this great man puts a new highlight on the events of the past week. My experiences with the dedication of the World War II Memorial, the patriotism I have felt, the overwhelming emotions of gratitude, sorrow, hope, and pride. They’ve taken a new meaning, when reflected in the events of the 1980’s, and this one man’s role in shaping our world. To be as influential as he, what an honor that would be, and what a responsibility. But, if I were pressed to be even half as dutiful as he, would I be up to snuff?
We all know now how I feel about the veterans of World War II. I feel just as reflective and honored on this day as I did last weekend. The sacrifices of those men has meant the world to us. The only way to repay them is to perpetuate the spirit of their sacrifices in our daily lives, striving to improve ourselves. Because in this great system of self-government, the greatest change we could ever hope to affect, always begins introspectively. The song continues, “Confirm thy soul in self-control, they liberty in law.” That is the beauty of the United States of America; founded on self-improvement and self-restraint, flourishing under the mutual direction of our peers, and an unconquerable influence for good in the world around us. Ronald Reagan exemplified that, and I – like so many others – will miss him greatly.
“The poet called Miss Liberty’s torch, “the lamp beside the golden door.” Well, that was the entrance to America, and it still is. And now you really know why we’re here tonight.
“The glistening hope of that lamp is still ours. Every promise every opportunity is still golden in this land. And through that golden door our children can walk into tomorrow with the knowledge that no one can be denied the promise that is America.
“Her heart is full; her torch is still golden, her future bright. She has arms big enough to comfort and strong enough to support, for the strength in her arms is the strength of her people. She will carry on in the eighties unafraid, unashamed, and unsurpassed.
“In this springtime of hope, some lights seem eternal; America’s is.”
– Ronald Reagan, 1911 – 2004