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Reagan's Berlin Wall Speech

A4sForever

BTDT OLD GUY
pilot
Contributor
Great stuff -- great President ... great time to be an American, especially after all the hand-wringing and self-doubts that had followed Vietnam.

As I remember, Ronnie was advised to NOT put the line 'tear down this wall' in the speech -- but he wanted it and left it in ...

He makes most of the Presidents that came before & after his time in office during the 'modern period' look like midgets by comparison. And for whatever his faults (and we've all got plenty), at least he was a leader, he was in charge, and the Country knew it.

And so did our enemies ...
 

jmcquate

Well-Known Member
Contributor
Correct, as the story goes all of the “Weenies” at State and NSC wanted the line removed and Reagan, with a glint in his eye said, “I am the President, right? I’m going to keep it in”.
 

eas7888

Looking forward to some P-8 action
pilot
Contributor
Great stuff -- great President ... great time to be an American, especially after all the hand-wringing and self-doubts that had followed Vietnam.

As I remember, Ronnie was advised to NOT put the line 'tear down this wall' in the speech -- but he wanted it and left it in ...

He makes most of the Presidents that came before & after his time in office during the 'modern period' look like midgets by comparison. And for whatever his faults (and we've all got plenty), at least he was a leader, he was in charge, and the Country knew it.

And so did our enemies ...

I attribute a lot of his good attributes to his experience as an actor. I'm not saying that he faked his way through being the President, but that he had the ability to convey what the world needed to hear. Few could question the man's patriotism either, though he never served overseas, he was an integral part of the war effort on the home front. Every war needs its REMFs, right?

Overall, great speech and a great man.
 

A4sForever

BTDT OLD GUY
pilot
Contributor
I attribute a lot of his good attributes to his experience as an actor. I'm not saying that he faked his way through being the President, but that he had the ability to convey what the world needed to hear. Few could question the man's patriotism either, though he never served overseas, he was an integral part of the war effort on the home front. Every war needs its REMFs, right?

Overall, great speech and a great man.

Roger that; and you do know that he enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1937, right?? He certainly didn't have to do that as there was no military draft and the nation was 'at peace'. He was an Officer in the Calvary Corps after accepting a commission. He was physically disqualified from going overseas (eyesight, I think) and his 'movie talents' were put to good use in WW2 public relations. A lot of guys who were 100% fit never left the shores of the USA ...

Just checked it; eyesight it was ... at one time, I'd also read 'hearing', compliments of a dust-up with Errol Flynn. Military Service of Ronald Reagan

Frank Sinatra was exempt for 'flat feet' ...
 

yak52driver

Well-Known Member
Contributor
We could use another President like Regan, IHMO. He was not afraid to flex the strength of this country when necessary. I grew up in his home town, live across the street from a home he lived in as a child that was turned into a museum with a huge statue of him in the yard. It was pretty cool when he came back to town while he was President to speak.
 
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