Throwback Thursdays

Ronald Reagan spoke of limited government almost his entire life. Hear why in this week’s Throwback Thursday with President Reagan Podcast.

Ronald Reagan loved this country. And saying the Pledge of Allegiance and hearing our country’s National Anthem sung often brought tears to his eyes. Hear why in this week’s Throwback Thursday with President Reagan Podcast.

Ronald Reagan brought this passion to honor POWs and those Missing in Action to the White House. On June 12, 1981, he issued a proclamation, making July 17, 1981, as national POW-MIA Recognition Day.  In the proclamation he wrote, “Throughout American history, our prisoners of war have been called upon to make uncommon sacrifices. In fulfilling their duty as citizens of the United States they have defended American ideals while suffering unimaginable indignities under the absolute control of the enemy. They remained steadfast even while their treatment contravened international understandings and violated elementary consideration of compassion and morality.” Let's listen.

When Ronald Reagan ran for the presidency in 1980, one of his platforms was making America great again. He wanted nothing more than Americans to take pride in their country and for big government to get out of their way.

When choosing a site for his presidential library, Ronald Reagan fell in love with the vistas from what is now our Simi Valley campus.  He specifically selected the property’s west side for his Memorial Site.  Facing the Pacific Ocean, the location is home to beautiful Southern California sunsets, horse trails, and an endless sky. On June 5, 2004, at the age of 93, President Ronald Wilson Reagan passed away, with his wife and family at his side. In honor of this week commemorating the 14th anniversary of his passing, this week’s “Words to Live By” will be different.  Rather than hearing the President speak, we are going to hear from those who knew and loved him the most.  Pulling from our past events and from the eulogies of his funeral, this “Words to Live By” podcast is a tribute to our nation’s 40th president.

40 years ago President Reagan spoke at West Point US Military Academy Graduation, saying, “Do your duty. Keep untarnished your honor, & you of the Corps will preserve this country for yourselves, for all of us, for your children & for your children's children.”

As a young man, Ronald Reagan idolized Franklin Roosevelt. And he was a democrat, casting his first vote for President for FDR, and then for Harry Truman in 1948. But in the 1950s his political philosophy began to shift and in 1962 he officially changed parties, joking, "I didn't leave the democratic party, it left me."

President Reagan had many political allies.  We often write and talk about his relationship and friendship with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.  And, of course, we also talk and write about his relationship, and ultimately friendship, with the Soviet Union’s Mikhail Gorbachev.  Another leader with whom President Reagan had a special rapport was Pope John Paul II. As a best-selling author, Craig Shirley wrote in a 2015 Op/Ed, “Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were men of the same moment. They were both horrified by nuclear war, they both hated communism and the Soviet Union, they both had been shot but survived and they both forgave their assailants.” As we recall, President Reagan survived his assassination attempt on March 30, 1981.  Just six weeks later, on May 13, 1981, so did the Pope.  Upon hearing the news of the shooting, President Reagan issued this message to the Pope: Let's listen.

President Reagan genuinely loved America. In this week’s Throwback Thursday podcast, we’re inspired by President Reagan’s words on the importance of a strong America.

President Reagan believed in freedom not just for Americans, but for people across the entire globe. In this week’s Throwback Thursday with Ronald Reagan Podcast, we listen to him speak about America’s foreign policy on security measures.