A Trip Out West: Day 1 - Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Wednesday night I traveled to LA to stay with my cousin for a couple days, primarily to watch a football game of his beloved University of Southern California Trojans.  However, I said that since I've gained momentum this year visiting Presidential libraries (Hoover and JFK this year) that we should go ahead and visit the two in southern California while I'm there.  So we left early Thursday morning (LA traffic is always terrible) to head to the Simi Valley to visit the Reagan Presidential Library

After about 2.5 hours in traffic (for about 80 miles), we finally arrived!

This library is the largest of any Presidential library I've visited.  It starts with this Spanish Courtyard when you walk towards the entrance.

"Glad to meet you, Mr. President!"

"Pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. First Lady!"

This Library is a very large complex, hanger pavillion the left side, library in the middle and memorial (not seen) on the right.

This library didn't focus too much on Reagan's life before politics.  There were relatively small sections about his upbringing, his interest in theatre and broadcasting and his movie career.  But things really begin to focus regarding his political career, from his work for Governor of California onward.

Reagan did write in a journal using very good script.

Do I look like a contender?

A large plane

A bit cozy inside

Chopper

Motorcade setup, interesting how vehicles change over the years

"Tear down this wall!" Yes, it's the actual Berlin Wall.

Not a bad view

The entire Brandenburg Gate speech

That famous section of that speech. Interesting how the pregnant pauses are inserted.

On the way out, we saw that history continues to be created.

The Reagan Library had a unique environment, presentation and experience. It did not shrink back on emphasizing Reagan's belief in mainstream conservative beliefs of smaller government, lower taxes and cutting regulations.  As I reflected on the way back into town, I was further convinced that Reagan had many similarities to the current President. Let me list them off:

• Both were notable media personalities before they entered politics;
• Both have had multiple marriages and multiple reports of infidelity against them;
• Both are known for their communication style, although they are different;
• Both advocate for the shrinking of the administrative state and lower taxes;
• Both have had strong political support from Christians, although neither is known for their churchgoing activity;
• Both became President at an older age; 
• Both are known for advocating space-centered national defense technology; and
• Both are known to have great political drive to get things down, especially in the area of international affairs. 

History is an interesting thing, just like this visit.