The White House on Thursday marked the 114th birthday of Ronald Reagan, calling the two-term Republican president "a giant of American history, a lion of freedom and liberty, and the 40th President of the United States."
The White House released a message from President Donald Trump regarding Reagan's birthday.
"In 1980, Reagan's common sense political vision propelled him to the Oval Office, ushering in a new era of prosperity and peace at home and abroad," the message stated. "The Reagan Revolution was underway. Throughout his eight years as Commander-in-Chief, the economy boomed, confidence soared, Communism collapsed, and faith in our Nation's promise thrived and flourished like never before — signaling a renaissance of the American conservative movement.
"As we honor President Reagan's life and legendary contributions to our Nation, we recognize that we are in the midst of another political revolution. Last year, the American People loudly rejected the politics of bitterness and betrayal — and launched a new and triumphant era of renewal and reform. Every day, my Administration is reminding the world once again that America is its own Nation with its own borders, its own culture, its own customs, and its own heritage — and that the American People will never waver in defending their glorious inheritance of Freedom."
Reagan died on June 5, 2004, at age 93, after a long, slow decline in health, primarily because of the effects of Alzheimer's disease. A ceremony was held in his honor earlier Thursday at Reagan's memorial site at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The featured speaker was Brig. Gen. Nick Brown, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, which is in Southern California.
The ceremony included a color guard, chaplain, a brass quintet, a 21-gun salute, and the placing of an official White House wreath on Reagan's gravesite, according to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
"Today, we honor President Reagan's legacy — bringing common sense back to Washington and fortifying the causes of prosperity, safety, security, and peace that he cherished so deeply," the White House presidential message from Trump said. "As we enter America's Golden Age, we remember the indelible mark President Reagan left on our Nation, and we commit to carrying the torch of Liberty and Justice for generations to come."
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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