A BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT\Reagan's 85th marked at library.Byline: Kermit Pattison Daily News Staff Writer With the flourish of a pen, Joseph Stertz found himself communicating with the Great Communicator himself. The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of state tourist wandered into the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs and Museum amid the celebration of the ex-president's 85th birthday. As longtime admirers of the Gipper, Stertz and his wife, Audrey, grabbed a pen and scribbled a greeting to Reagan on a large birthday card on the wall. "He was a hell of a good president - almost as good as Harry Truman," said Stertz, who on Sunday also celebrated his own 77th birthday and 54th wedding anniversary. Hundreds of visitors flocked to the library and museum on Sunday as it celebrated the birthday of the nation's 40th president, which falls on Tuesday. "It's a special day for people who admire Ronald Reagan and people who respect the American presidency," said Lynda Schuler, deputy director of the Reagan Center for Public Affairs Those public information, command information, and community relations activities directed toward both the external and internal publics with interest in the Department of Defense. Also called PA. See also command information; community relations; public information. . "There's only five presidents who have lived to be 85." In the museum foyer, three large red, white and blue birthday cakes sat on a table flanked by two large easels with large color photographs of Ronald and Nancy Reagan celebrating past birthdays. The library marked the milestone by asking visitors to write birthday greetings to Reagan and slicing out cake to visitors. It also opened new exhibits over the weekend: an interactive technology replica of the White House Cabinet room and one of the Geneva Geneva, canton and city, Switzerland Geneva (jənē`və), Fr. Genève, canton (1990 pop. 373,019), 109 sq mi (282 sq km), SW Switzerland, surrounding the southwest tip of the Lake of Geneva. boathouse where Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev held their fireside summit in 1985. The birthday greetings will be sent down to Reagan's office in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and he probably will read each one, said Schuler. "He loves it," she said. "You think of him in terms of being the Great Communicator because of his polished appearance on television. But he reads people's letters." Reagan will hold a birthday bash Tuesday night at Chasen's restaurant in Los Angeles with a cast of guests from the elites of Washington politics and show business. The guests list includes former President Ford, Gov. Pete Wilson For others named Pete Wilson, see . Peter Barton Wilson (born August 23, 1933) is an American Republican politician from California. Wilson served as the thirty-sixth Governor of California (1991–1999), the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that , former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking overall military officer of the United States military, and the principal military adviser to the President of the United States. Gen. Colin Powell Noun 1. Colin Powell - United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937) Colin luther Powell, Powell and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. One by one, a steady stream of visitors to the hilltop museum in Simi Valley stopped to jot their respects on the banner before heading off to see the museum exhibits. One note read: "Dear Ron - Happy 85th!! God bless you! You saved our country." "Happy birthday to the greatest living American," said another message. Another read: "Have a great birthday. You are my favorite president. We need you now more than ever." San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. resident Cheryl Holt stood before the banner composing a message as her husband looked over her shoulder offering suggestions. "I hope he reads it so he knows he's appreciated," she said. Her husband, Larry Holt, said he works with the Screen Actors Guild and grew to admire Reagan for the work he did when he served as president of the organization in the 1940s and 1950s. "I love the guy," he said. "I wish he was back in there." CAPTION(S): PHOTO Photo (1--color in SIMI and CONEJO only) Children blow out candles on a cake in honor of the 85th birthday of former President Reagan at the library and museum in Simi Valley. (2) Dennis Barnikel adds his greetings to a card. In addition to Sunday's birthday festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. , the museum opened two new interactive exhibits. (3--ran in CONEJO and SIMI only) Linda Prell of Simi Valley helps her daughter Sharon, 4, pen a message to the 85-year-old birthday boy. Michael Owen Baker/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion