George Putnam
Saturday, June 12, 2004

It was Ronald Reagan who, during his first term, spoke for freedom and democracy and promised that we would leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history. It was Reagan who told us again and again that we should be proud to be Americans. He spoke of the 'evil empire' - it was he who told the Soviets to open their gates, to "tear down this wall," all the while following his three objectives:

1. to reduce government;

2. to cut taxes and interest rates;

3. and to build the military and defense.

His other chief achievement was providing the conditions of the economic growth of two decades past. Reagan came into office as the malaise economy of the 1970s cast a pall over the globe. He cut taxes - the top rate dropping from 70 percent to 50 percent - imposed a tight rein on inflation, and reminded us that government isn't the solution - government is the problem.

Ronald Reagan came out of the Depression generation. He came of an era that understood integrity - doing what is right intuitively - and through hardship, he came of a period of character which meant doing what is right when nobody's looking. He came of our generation - of hand-me-down clothes, when the next meal was a challenge.

In spite of and because of his humble beginnings, he was consistent: He indeed reduced government, cut taxes and interest rates, and built the military defense - just as he set out to do.

This week all of Reagan's attributes are being repeated over and over. But let's talk about some of the simple things, such as the almost daily exchanges of hand-written letters with a young woman who became his pen pal. And his correspondence - exchanging of thoughts, ideas and advisories - with Lawrence Beilenson, author of "The Treaty Trap," on whom Reagan relied from the period when he was five times president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Let me recall for you a couple of interesting experiences. Ronnie's mother, Nelle, the driving force in Ronnie's life before Nancy, brought Ronnie to my studio in Los Angeles - said she had watched me on my television news reports and wanted Ronnie to see how I did it. I was embarrassed, to say the least, but what Nelle wanted, Nelle got. Sure enough, she appeared at the studio with Ronnie and we went through the preparation of a newscast together.

One evening after my newscast, a man and his wife appeared at the studio, and told how he had played football on an Illinois team with Ronnie Reagan. Those were the days when we played 60-minutes football - offense and defense. Ronnie played guard on defense and halfback on offense. The key to their team was the only black guy, who played center.

The night before the big game of the season, the local restaurateur provided a steak dinner to Ronnie's team. Just before the dinner was served, the manager of the restaurant told the team that they could eat their dinner in the dining room but the black center would have to eat in the kitchen.

Ronnie was furious. He quietly talked with members of the team, asked them if they had a few pennies. They put a few dollars together, walked out of the restaurant with their black buddy, went to a local grocery and purchased some bread and cheese and sat down to a menial repast, leaving the steak and a sumptuous feast behind.

These are just a couple of little-known stories of Ronnie's past that contributed to the character-building of the man who opened the gates, tore down the wall, reduced government, cut taxes and interest rates, built the military and defense and, most of all, through common beginnings, gave us pride in America and eliminated the 'evil empire' on the ash heap of history. As Margaret Thatcher said, "Reagan won the Cold War - won World War III - without firing a shot." Ronald Reagan, an ordinary man who became an extraordinary leader. Ronnie Reagan - an American president who ranks along with FDR as the greatest of our generation. With all of the acclaim, all of the honors, all of the praise, all of the love, I have a feeling that Ronnie is looking down upon all this now and in his humble way is saying, "What? All this for me?" Related Links:

Reagan’s 40-Year War Against Communism

Blacks Prospered Under Reagan

The legendary George Putnam is 89 years young and a veteran of 69 years as a reporter, broadcaster and commentator ... and is still going strong on KSPA-AM, 12 noon to 2 p.m. Pacific Time - simulcast all over the world on the CRN Radio Network.

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