Model Aircrafts and Ships

Former President Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on the 6^th of February 1911 in Tampico, Illinois to John Reagan and Nelle Wilson Reagan. He was nicknamed Dutch by his father due to his fat little Dutchman appearance and Dutchboy haircut.

Ronald Reagan once affiliated with entertainment. In 1932, he worked at a radio stations WOC in Davenport Iowa and WHO in Des Moines as an announcer. And in 1937 he took a screen test that led to a seven year contract with Warner Brothers.

On the 29^th of April 1937 he enlisted himself in the Army Enlisted Reserve as a private assigned to Troop B, 322^nd Cavalry at Des Moines, Iowa. On the 18^th of April 1942 he was ordered to active duty for the first time but he was classified for limited service only due to his nearsightedness.

In 1950s he had fewer film roles and so he moved to television and hosts the General Electric Theater. His final work as a professional actor was as a host and performer on the television series Death Valley Days.

On the 26^th of January 1940, Reagan marries Jane Wyman. Together they had two children, Maureen and Christine and adopted a third, Michael. On the 28^th of June 1948, they divorced following arguments about Reagan’s political ambitions.

Nancy Davis Reagan

On the 4^th of March 1952, Reagan married Nancy Davis. They had two children, Patti and Ron. Observers described the relationship of the couple as close, real, and intimate.

Political Career:

January 3, 1967 to January 7, 1975 – 33^rd Governor of California

- “to send the welfare bums back to work”

- “to clean up the mess at Berkeley”

- He froze government hiring and approved tax hikes to balance budget.

January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989 – 40^th President of the United States

- “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”

Post Presidential Years:

November 4, 1991 - Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was dedicated and opened to the public.

1994 – He was diagnosed of Alzheimer’s disease.

- “I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God Always bless you.”

On the 5^th of June 2004, Reagan died at his home in Bel-Air, California. He died at the age of 93 after 10 years of Alzheimer’s disease. His burial site is inscribed with the words he delivered upon opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

“I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life.”

Honors (to name a few):

Ships:

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

Institutions:

- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs (Simi Valley, California)

- Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home National Historic Site (Dixon, Illinois)

Schools:

- Ronald Reagan Elementary School (Bakersfield, California)

- Ronald Reagan Sports Park (Diamond Bar, California)

- Reagan Physical Education Center (Illinois)

Roads:

- Ronald Reagan Freeway (California)

- Ronald Reagan Highway (Illinois)