On Reagan

I was in Navy bootcamp in Orlando, about 3 weeks in, when we got the news. We were on the tarmac doing drills. And the Senior Chief came by and said “guys, let’s stop. I have something to tell you all…. the President has been shot.” We gathered around in a circle and held hands, brawly male recruits all holding hands. And we prayed for the President, with our Senior Chief leading the prayer.

I was a Libertarian all the way back in 1980. But I never liked the Libertarian Party’s non-interventionist stance. I was always pro-defense. Reagan meant pro-military, pro-strength and anti-communism to me.

I joined the military as a direct result of Carter’s weakness in the face of Islamo-Fascism with the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979.

Reagan brought up back to where America should be – Limited Government at home/Strength abroad. Let’s hope we can get there again.

Eric Dondero, USN (hon.) 1981-85