If Ronald Reagan's character and courage as a president had one defining moment, it was during the shocking aftermath of an attempt on his life in March of 1981 when, despite having taken a bullet to the chest, he was able to joke from his hospital bed.
That moment was significant not so much because of Reagan's ability to recover from a gunshot wound but because of his ability to remain upbeat, enthused and optimistic in the face of what could have been a terrible tragedy. His quips put an anxious nation at ease and broke a tension that had mounted through the day with each videotaped replay of the awful crime.Later, he showed similar courage as he faced colon cancer surgery.
Now Reagan faces the toughest challenge of all - an illness from which a successful recovery is impossible. His is a future of gradual but certain deterioration. Yet in a hand-written announcement over the weekend that he suffers from Alzheimer's disease, the former president demonstrated true courage. Once again, Reagan has taught a nation how to meet adversity with bravery and how to bring good results from bad circumstances.
His note to the nation accomplished two things. First, it demonstrated that, at least for the moment, Reagan still is healthy and sharp. A typewritten message would have left some doubt. Once again he was able to put an anxious nation at least partially at ease.
Secondly, and most importantly, it centered the spotlight of public attention on Alzheimer's disease. He chose not to suffer in private seclusion. As a result, millions of people will be helped.
Medical researchers believe the extra attention will lead to a greater awareness of the disease, an irreversible neurological disorder that leads to memory loss, impairment of judgment, disorientation, personality change and, eventually, dementia and the need for 24-hour care.
Not only will his candid admission give courage to the victims of the disease and their relatives, it likely will spur greater funding for research. Alzheimer's affects an estimated 4 million Americans. However, the disease likely is to become more of a burden to relatives and taxpayers as Americans continue living longer. Reagan is 83. Experts say about one-third of all people have the disease by the time they are 85.
Reagan could not have found an easy or reassuring way to break the news. His disease is terminal.
Yet the words of his letter stand as an eloquent and optimistic valedictory for the life of a man who was known as the "great communicator." His character and optimism were summed in a final paragraph that said:
"I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you."
He thanked us, yet it is an entire nation that owes Ronald Reagan thanks for his service and for showing how to face life's biggest challenges.