Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

The most memorable Labor Day for me was in 1984 when I attended the campaign kick-off for the Reagan-Bush campaign.

It is estimated that 50,000 people attended Ronald Reagan's formal Labor Day campaign kickoff rally at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley. I remember the day being hot and some who were bused in couldn't get in as the venue was filled to capacity. Luckily, Mike Evans (a longtime friend) and I got there early enough to get in. 

Here's one of my photos of President Reagan addressing the crowd. Those I can identify are: Ed Rollins, Pete Wilson, Nancy Reagan, Charlton Heston, George Deukmejian, President Reagan, Maureen Reagan, Johnny Grant and Dennis Revell.

Above, President Reagan's Labor Day campaign kick-off
 in Fountain Valley, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Reagan’s Birthday, How He and Trump Helped Make America Great Again

Above, President Reagan's Labor Day campaign kick-off
 in Fountain Valley, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is Ronald Reagan's birthday.

There are a number of articles on the former President being posted today. Probably the most prominent one is an opinion piece on how Reagan and President Donald Trump helped to make America great again by Peggy Grande at Fox News.

It starts with:

Every February 6, America celebrates the birthday of President Ronald Reagan — a president whose optimism, eloquence and unwavering love for his country defined an era. We not only loved him, we loved ourselves and who we were as Americans when he was president. He made us patriotic and proud, courageous and optimistic, and gave deep meaning to our values as we shone the torch of freedom all over the world under his leadership, inviting others to follow. And they did. 

We miss Reagan and have missed those feelings of pride and optimism in America these past few years. But since January 20, it feels like Morning in America Again and as the sun is rising on the second term of President Donald Trump, there are similar emotions being evoked. Americans are celebrating. 

Having worked for both presidents, I know well that Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump are two very different men with vastly different leadership styles, yet they share one love for America. And Americans. All Americans. 

To read more, go here. 

Happy Labor Day

Today is Labor Day. I plan on spending the day at home and driving either the Jeep or the mini-bike.

After being around nearly 70 years, past Labor Days are all a blur to me. Except one.

That would be Labor Day of 1984 when friend Paul Evans and I went to Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, California for the kick-off rally of President Ronald Reagan's general election re-election campaign. 

Above, President Reagan addresses the rally in Fountain Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There were a lot a people at the campaign rally (50,000 and 15,000 more who couldn't get in) and joining the Reagans on the platform included Charlton Heston, Johnny Grant, Gov. George Deukmejian, Sen. Pete Wilson, Campaign Director Ed Rollins, Rep. Robert K. Dornan, Maureen Reagan and her husband Dennis Revell.

Here's a video of Reagan's speech:

Happy Labor Day!

Reagan's Birthday

Above, President Reagan at Fountain Valley, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it."  - Ronald Reagan.