6/06/2004

Ronald Reagan—US 40 th President

The original Sunday Sermon was in honor of the Normandy Invasion in 1944. Today we salute Ronald Reagan. My late father Lawrence Menkin was the story editor and wrote many episodes for "Death Valley Days," which President Reagan hosted (ironically my father also died in his sleep from Alzheimer's.)

We lived in Pacific Palisades and then Mr. Reagan had friends he visited, who were also our neighbors. He was just getting started in politics and his friends were all very conservative Republicans, as I remember. I parked cars for the parties and meetings.

In high school and a few years of junior college, I drove the florist truck for Oliver Bente Flowers in Westwood, where Mr. and Mrs. Reagan were regular customers. They had Irish maids and Mr. Reagan, at the time, was very precise in what he ordered and how much he paid, I was told. He was always sending flowers to his wife.

I was a newsman in San Francisco when then Governor Brown in 1965 said, "Hey, I've got it made. They're going to run an actor against me." I interviewed him and got this expression on tape.

I knew different. Everyone who met him in person, liked him. He was that kind of a personality. I think what was most revealing about this caring person was explained in a book written by his wife, "Love You, Ronnie."

The book jacket explained:

"No matter what else was going on in his life or where he was--travel ling to make movies for G.E., in the California governor's office, at the White House, or on Air Force One, and sometimes even from across the room--Ronald Reagan wrote letters to Nancy Reagan, to express his love, thoughts, and feelings, and to stay in touch. Through letters and reflections, the characters, personalities, and private lives of a president and his first lady are revealed.

“Nancy Reagan comments on the letters and writes with love and insight about her husband and the many phases of their life together."

There are many shorter, and perhaps more moving notes, than this excerpt, but it refers to their anniversary, so I quote this one:

Excerpt from I Love You, Ronnie

“Feb. 14,1977

“ Dear St. Valentine,

” I'm writing to you about a beautiful young lady who has been in this household for 25 years now - come March 4.

“I have a request to make of you but before doing so feel you should know more about her. For one thing she has 2 hearts - her own and mine. I'm not complaining. I gave her mine willingly, and like it right where it is. Her name is Nancy but for some time now I've called her Mommie and don't believe I could change.

“My request of you is - could you on this day whisper in her ear that someone loves her very much and more and more each day? Also tell her, this "Someone" would run down like a dollar clock without her so she must always stay where she is.

“Then tell her if she wants to know who that ‘Someone' is to just turn her head to the left. I'll be across the room waiting to see if you told her. If you'll do this for me, I'll be very happy knowing that she knows I love her with all my heart.

“ Thank you,