President's death brings back memories

McCook Daily Gazette Centennial Edition President Ronald Reagan extends a hand to Jim Short, Red Willow County sheriff, during a campaign tour through McCook on May 5, 1976. At the time, Reagan was not in office and was seeking the Republican presidential nomination. He lost the opportunity to Gerald Ford at the National Convention in Kansas City that summer, but came back in 1980 to capture the nomination and ultimately, the presidency.

As the nation mourns the death of President Ronald Reagan, the thoughts of people of the McCook area go back 28 years -- to May 5, 1976 -- when Reagan, then a candidate for the nation's highest office, made a campaign appearance at the McCook Memorial Auditorium.

His visit to McCook is chronicled in the McCook Daily Gazette's Centennial Edition of 1982:

"After landing at the McCook Municipal Airport at 1 p.m., Reagan, who was nattily attired in a gray business suit and green tie, rode in a motorcade directly to the City Auditorium where he spoke to 2,500 enthusiastic listeners."

Reagan was well received by McCook and was interrupted by applause several times. What won the crowd's approval were quotes such as, "It's time for government to get out of the way and let farmers sell without interference," and "I would repeal the energy bill which shut down drilling rigs in the country."

One woman even dashed out of the audience and presented the former California governor with a large, white Holy Bible.

On income taxes, Reagan told the audience that he wanted a reformed tax structure, included simplified tax laws. This remained a passionate cause for Reagan, and was one of the hallmarks of "Reaganomics," the economic philosophy which marked his years as president.

From McCook, Reagan continued on the campaign trail, concluding at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City. His conservative challenge was beaten back by Gerald Ford of Michigan. Reagan then ran as an independent, garnering only one electoral vote as the relatively unknown Democrat, Jimmy Carter, came out of Georgia to win the presidency.

Reagan was not to be denied, however. In 1980, he ran again, winning the Republican nomination and easily dislodging Carter to become the 40th President of the United States.

Ronald Reagan was an outstanding American who served this nation well as the leader of the conservative movement. To this day, his philosophies remain the cornerstone of conservatism and a source of pride and respect for the Republican party.

Even though Ronald Reagan spent only a few hours in McCook, he will be long remembered for the impact he had on this community, this nation and this world.