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(RONALD WILSON REAGAN) Handwritten Unsigned Letter as Governor of California

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
(RONALD WILSON REAGAN) Handwritten Unsigned Letter as Governor of California
Autographs
Ronald Reagan Comforts a Family who had Just Lost Their Son Killed in Action in the Vietnam War
(RONALD WILSON REAGAN) (1911-2004). 40th President of the United States (1981-89), prior served as the 33rd Governor of California (1967-75) and a radio, film and television Actor.
February 23, 1968-Dated Vietnam War period, Autograph Draft Letter (Unsigned), 1 page, 7.25" x 10.5", Quarto, upon official “Governor's Office, State of California” letterhead stationery, Choice Crisp Extremely Fine. One long diagonal red pen line (likely secretarial), drawn across the face and noted “2-23-68” as acknowledgement of this compassionate Handwritten Letter by Reagan had its transcription completed. Handwritten, with corrections by Ronald Reagan to Mr. & Mrs. Ed Wright of Sacramento. Here Reagan pens wonderful words of condolence, reading in full:

"Dear Mary & Ed --- I know words are of little help and can do nothing to ease your pain but Nancy & I want you to know how desperately we wish we could help. Yet we can only offer our deepest sympathy & pray that God will deliver the healing & understanding which he alone can give.

On my desk right now is a letter from another young man who has just returned to Viet Nam for a second duty tour. He writes, 'While home I had several unusual experiences. Total strangers approached to thank me for the job I was doing. Only then did I stop to realize just how much we mean to the wonderful American people. They were not just thanking me, they were thanking all of us in V.N., Korea, WWII, WWI and all our forefathers for the necessary sacrifices each one has to make. I am honored and thankful to serve as an American in the service of my country and to uphold the beliefs, principles and traditions of my country. I am grateful for the father & mother I was blessed to have raise & guide me. We are only God's men doing our own separate jobs to make our country a better place in which to live.'"
RONALD WILSON REAGAN (1911-2004). 40th President of the U.S. (1981-1989). Previous to his Presidency, was a radio announcer (1932-37) and film actor (1937-65) in many memorable Warner Bros. films, including Dark Victory (1939), Knute Rockne - All American (1940), and Kings Row (1941) - as well as the later comedy Bedtime For Bonzo (1951), in which he co-starred with a chimpanzee. Served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (1947-52 and 1959-60) and was the host of two TV shows: "General Electric Theatre" (1954-62) and "Death Valley Days" (1965-66).

Elected Governor of California (1967-75). Defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter in the Presidential election of 1980. During his administration, Reagan adopted supply-side economics (the theory that tax cuts spur personal savings and investment, which will strengthen the economy, improve productivity and eventually generate sufficient revenue which, in combination with spending cuts, will balance the budget and curb inflation) - dubbed "Reaganomics".

His expansion of the U.S. military [in the wake of Carter's much criticized "Hollow Force"] prompted Soviet agreement to arms reduction, resulting in the 1987 INF (Intermediate Nuclear Forces) Treaty. Reagan's foreign/military policies were largely responsible for the demise of the Soviet Union, bringing a quick end to the Cold War - a feat his predecessors had miserably failed to accomplish. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher offered these words of praise for Reagan in 1988: "Let us above all thank President Ronald Reagan for ending the West's retreat from world responsibility, for restoring the pride and leadership of the United States, and for giving the West back its confidence. He has left America stronger, prouder, greater than ever before ... "