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July 07, 2004

Remembering Reagan

Flags are flying at full mast today but President Reagan, beloved Commander in Chief of many Marines, will not be forgotten.

Members of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Marine Barracks Washington, perform during an evening Sunset Parade as the flag flies at half-staff over the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington Va.

Here's a memorial from USMC Cpl. Beth Zimmerman:

Reagan respected the men and women in uniform who served him during his Presidency. According to www.ronaldreagan.com, Reagan wrote in his autobiography about a trend he started to show his respect.

"As commander in chief, I discovered it was customary for our uniformed men and women to salute whenever they saw me," read his words. "When I'd walk down the steps of a helicopter, for example, there was always a Marine waiting there to salute me. I was told presidents weren't supposed to return salutes, so I didn't, but this made me feel a little uncomfortable.

"Normally, a person offering a salute waits until it is returned, then brings down his hand. Sometimes, I realized, the soldier, sailor, Marine or airman giving me a salute wasn't sure when to lower his hand. Initially, I nodded and smiled and said hello and thought maybe that would bring down the hand, but usually it didn't.

"Finally, one night when Nancy and I were attending a concert at the Marine Corps headquarters, I told the Commandant of Marines, 'I know it's customary for the President to receive these salutes, but I was once an officer and realize that you're not supposed to salute when you're in civilian clothes. I think there ought to be a regulation that the president could return a salute inasmuch as he is the commander in chief and civilian clothes are his uniform'.

According to Reagan, the general replied with, "Well if you did return a salute, I don't think anyone would say anything to you about it."

"The next time I got a salute, I saluted back," continues Reagan's text. "A big grin came over the Marine's face and down came his hand. From then on, I always returned salutes."

Posted by Deb at July 7, 2004 01:26 PM

Comments

RONALDUS MAGNUS
(Ronald The Great)

What a humble man. This story confirms that the truly great are first, truly humble.

During the week of mourning for this great man, I couldn't help but notice the respectful and rightful place our military was given at the various functions and ceremonies.

On the Friday that the President's body was returned to California for burial, there appeared on various newsites and newspapers a picture taken at his burial. It was of a Marine named Sgt. Ethan Rocke, from San Diego, California. The image shows Sgt. Rocke, with tears running down his handsome face as he's saluting the president's casket.

Jason Grose (http://www.grose.us/), a retired Marine, said on his website that the picture of Sgt. Rocke was, "A perfect summary of what the Marines thought of President Reagan."

I humbly add my voice to Grose's. You see President Reagan taught this then confused college student that it was OK to be (an American), and to love America.

The official mourning period may be over. But his Great name will only increase with time.

Thank you,
MVH

Posted by: MVH at July 7, 2004 09:12 PM

That's touching. My father was a veteran, and he loved Reagan. Sadly I was too young to vote for him. When it comes to the military, what it boils down to is that Reagan loved America, and the Military represents all the things about America that are worth loving, only in the military those qualities are distilled to their purest essence.

Posted by: Brian B at July 8, 2004 09:20 AM

--Brian B

Hear! Hear!

Posted by: MVH at July 8, 2004 10:33 PM

Hey, I'm not retired yet, unless you know something I don't...

-- Capt Grose

Posted by: Jason D. Grose at October 1, 2004 03:36 PM