Ronald W. Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the United States died Saturday, June 5, 2004 at his home in California. He was 93 years old and had been suffering from Alzheimer�s disease. The United States flag over the White House was lowered to half staff within an hour. Former President Reagan�s body was expected to be taken to his presidential library and museum in Simi Valley, California, and then flown to Washington to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. His funeral is at the National Cathedral, an event likely to draw world leaders. The body is to be returned to California for a sunset burial at his library. Regan, known as the "The Great Communicator,� was elected to office in a landslide victory over incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1980 and is credited with revitalizing the country�s stagnant economy and forcing the end of the Cold War during his two terms in office from 1981 to 1989. Reagan remained largely out of public view since announcing he had Alzheimer�s disease in November 1994. He turned the disclosure of his disease as an opportunity to make a final address to the nation, expressing in an open letter to the American people the same patriotic fervor that had catapulted him into the presidency. "When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.� "He always told us that for America the best is yet to come,� Bush said of Reagan. "We comfort ourselves by telling ourselves that the same is true for him�We know a shining city is waiting for him.� (Arrangements are under the direction of Gates Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Directors, 1925 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404)