America lost one of its greatest leaders on Saturday. Ronald Reagan was, in my humble opinion, the greatest president of the 20th century. He was a man of strong principles and integrity. He brought a spirit of hope and optimism to an America that was mired in hopelessness and self-doubt. By winning the cold war, he freed millions from oppression and tyranny. He stood firm on his beliefs and convictions and did not check the public opinion polls before making a decision. I will always remember hearing him speak in 1988. He was in the Detroit area campaigning for George H.W. Bush, and I went to hear him. He delivered a marvelous speech, which ended with these words: “I want to ask one more thing of the good people in southeast Michigan. Would you win one more for the Gipper?”

We will miss you, Mr. President.

Memorial Day seemed to mean a little more this year. Usually it is just a three-day weekend, cookouts, the beginning of summer, etc. But folks around the nation seemed to better understand the meaning of it yesterday. Perhaps it was because of the new WWII Memorial (BTW: Why was there a Vietnam Memorial before there was a WWII Memorial?). Perhaps it was because of the war in Iraq. We went to the parade here in town, and it was good to see everyone honoring the servicemen.

I have an uncle who was a hero in WWII. He stayed at his machine gun post to shoot down a Japanese plance coming at his ship. He destroyed the plane and likely saved the ship. But he was killed by some of the wreckage from the plane. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross, and he had a ship named after him (The U.S.S. Slater, DE 766). You can read about it here.

My thanks to those of you who have served in the military. And I honor those who, like my Uncle Frank, made the ultimate sacrifice.