FReepers Pay Tribute to Ronald Wilson Reagan

HenchPAC Exclusive - 08/01/04

FReeper RabidDog organized a great get-together for FReepers - a trip out to the Reagan library to pay tribute to the greatest President since Washington.

I loaded up the van with my camera, myself, and FReeper Ironclad. That's it, no supplies, provisions, or Sherpas, the Reagan Library is only 25 minutes from my house!

We arrived about 11:30 since the festivities were supposed to begin at 12:30, and we wanted to walk around, take some pictures, and of course meet and greet FReepers!

The library is fabulous. If you're ever in the area, you need to make a point to spend at least an hour checking it out. I could have easily spent two or three hours there, and I'm sure real library buffs, or really anyone with normal patience and concentration, (mine is somewhere between a lab rat and a house fly,) could spend a whole day there.

It couldn't have been a nicer day for our FReepRespect, for lack of a better word. There was hazy sunshine, a flowing Pacific ocean breeze coming off the Oxnard/Ventura beeches, and a balmy temperature in the low 80's. The fact that we got started a couple minutes late (OK Jim, where WERE you and Sheila? {;^) ...) was actually of no concern, it was so pleasant just to stand outside enjoying the lovely view and perfect weather.

FReeper BobJ got things going, and before I knew it, we had bagpipes blowing, and Doug From Upland making a great speech about our hero, Ronald Wilson Reagan.

OK, let's get to some pictures!

The first thing that amazes you is the number of people at the Library, there is a constant flow of people, almost like a baseball game where the game never starts or ends, and people just come and go as they please. Check out the notes, card, flags and flowers just from one day!

Ironclad surveys the donators memorial wall, and his super-snooper eyes pick up an interesting item....

..Nah! it couldn't be, could it? I know, I know, John Kerry: "I voted for Ronald Reagan before I voted against him."

This is VERY cool. When you stand in front of it, you realize what a glorious symbol it is of the history President Reagan made.

"Mr. Ironclad, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!"

A re-created Oval Office as it was when Ronald Reagan graced our White House. They don't allow flash in the library, and my old camera doesn't do too well in low light, so this is the only picture from the inside that came out decent.

There's Air Force One and Marine One, waiting to be reassembled and displayed inside....

....their own hangar/auditorium/museum. This is going to require a separate trip after it's opened!

Here's the fabulous view from the library grounds. That's Tierra Rejada golf course in the distance.

RabidDog (holding the envelope) gets everyone organized. I hear she threw a fabulous BBQ afterwards as well, cheers to you, and thanks again for setting up the whole thing, we had a GREAT time!

WOW! Bagpiper front and center. The general public wondered what in tarnation was goin' on when the ceremony began. Thanks to Captain Rod Phillips, buy that man a pint!

Doug From Upland made a great speech in tribute to our hero, Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Check out that crowd of Freepers! I think we had about fifty.

And here's Henchster with Free Republic founder, and our fearless leader, Jim Robinson. Jim, we can't thank you enough for all the great work you've done towards freedom, as well as all the great times FReepers across the country have had at get-togethers for every occasion. FReepers are the greatest people on the planet, the true modern day Minutemen of the Constitution, and Free Republic is the best site on the web. Congratulations go to you.

FReeper DoughtyOne took this picture of Ironclad and Henchster with JimRob, Thanks Ron!

God Bless Ronald Wilson Reagan.