Observations by Key Monroe~~Home of Right Opinions, Cynical Viewpoints, and TMI in Hefty Doses
|E-mail: keymonroe [at] alltel [dot] net

June 07, 2004

Remembering Ronald Reagan, my Childhood Pen-pal

Well, at least on one occasion.

Even as a ten year old, I knew a well-respected and well-loved President when I saw one. (I didn't realize what an amazing anomaly the man actually was until many years later.)

I decided I'd like to meet him.

Because jumping a plane was out of the question, - which was the only hindrance I could think of - I went for plan B.

I decided to write a letter. I have no idea what I said in that letter. I wish that I could remember. (More so, I wish that I had a copy of it.)

When the letter was finished, I stuck it in a large envelope, and then I got out my little potholder maker.

I fashioned a red, white and blue potholder and stuck it in the envelope with the letter. I then went downstairs and asked my mother what the President's address was. (Of course, I know this now, but the trivia was a bit much for a ten year old.)

She didn't know.

I wrote THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON D.C. in big letters on the front of the envelope, put plenty of postage on it, and stuck it in the mailbox.

I then eagerly awaited response, much to the chagrin of my mother, who reminded me every day that the President "is a busy man."

Three weeks later, I got it. A large envelope from The White House. My parents stood in disbelief, as I snatched my mail and tore into it.

Inside was a book about the White House, as well as a short, typed letter from the President with an original signature....Ronald Reagan.

My parents took the letter and held it to the light. They examined the way the ink from the felt pen had feathered into the fine paper on the edges. "I think he actually signed it himself," I remember one of them saying.

"Of course he did," I said snatching the letter and the book from them. I knew enough to know that he probably had a secretary who did most of that stuff for him. But I still thought he was one cool President.

I put the contents back in the envelope and hid the package in an antique desk in my room.

I still have the antique desk. The envelope and its contents are still stashed within.

posted by Key on 05:15 PM | Comments (11)
Comments

Now THAT is one cool story.

Thanks for telling it.

Posted by: Jack at June 7, 2004 06:09 PM

Now THAT is one double cool story.

Posted by: Sam at June 7, 2004 06:55 PM

Thanks, fellas. ; )

Posted by: Key at June 7, 2004 10:52 PM

Dear Key:

That is probably the best tribute to Reagan that I've read over the past few days, if not ever.

He was a great man.

You're a good woman.

Best,

-Will

Posted by: Will at June 7, 2004 11:10 PM

That is so. frickin'. cool!!!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at June 8, 2004 12:42 AM

A guy on the radio yesterday told of his mother getting a letter from Pesident Reagan on her birthday. The prez and she shared the same birthday, and he wrote to tell her so, with a real signature...........just like a book to a school girl......amazing!
Thanks for the story. He was such a POSITIVE guy!

Posted by: wes jackson at June 8, 2004 12:50 AM

Wow! I wrote Ronnie in 1968 because I was doing a scapbook on California, and he was governor. He sent me a great package of stuff. A little flag, some postcards, all manner of cool stuff. And a personally signed letter. Signed by him? I don't know, but I like to think so.

Posted by: Velociman at June 8, 2004 01:53 AM

Wonderful story. And Velociman's too. Probably 2 of millions -- that's just what kind of man he was. A great loss to our country; but a great blessing that we had him.

Posted by: Indigo at June 9, 2004 04:13 AM

Simply breathtaking. Awe inspiring.

Moving beyond words.

Thank you, Key.


Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at June 10, 2004 05:49 PM

What a great story! Thanks for sharing. I was fortunate enough to see President Reagan speak in my hometown on July 4, 1984. I was 19 at the time, and that November I proudly cast my very first vote in a presidential election for one Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Posted by: Robert at June 15, 2004 03:00 AM

Great story! I was in 5th grade when our President was shot. As part of a class project (letter writing) I was to write a letter to anybody. I chose to write a get well letter to President Reagan. Imaging my surprise when several weeks later I recieved a post card sized envelope with the return address of "The White House". It was a typed thank you not for my note. I am not sure if the signiture is hand written or printed but it did not matter. I learned that day that even the smallest voices in this country can be heard. I have not missed a major election since I turned 18 as a result of that postcard. I also still have my mailing and keep it as a reminder of what a great person President Reagan was and proof of my belief in speaking my mind and someone will listen.

Posted by: Joe Mixon at December 25, 2004 09:56 PM
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