Ronald Reagan

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Former first lady Nancy Reagan is assisted by Marine Lt. Gen. George J. Flynn at a wreath-laying ceremony for former President Ronald Reagan during his centennial birthday celebration in Simi Valley, Calif., in 2011. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

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John Barletta, the head agent of former President Ronald Reagan's Secret Service detail, answers questions about his service. (Peter Parisi/The Washington Times)

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Shirley Temple starred with Ronald Reagan in "That Hagen Girl" in 1947. (Photo courtesy Turner Move Classics)

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President Reagan sensed winter in Washington as a sign that "spring is coming" with things "beginning again." (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation)

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Ronald Reagan, with wife Nancy and brother Neil, holds a gold key to his boyhood home in Dixon, Ill., on Feb. 6, 1984. The home, preserved by a nonprofit foundation, is the most likely candidate for purchase by the National Park Service. (Associated Press)

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President Reagan sensed winter in Washington as a sign that "spring is coming" with things "beginning again." (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation)

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Illustration: Ronald Reagan by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times

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Ronald Reagan taping a commentary program for radio in 1976. AP

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Illustration: Reagan's battle of ideas by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times

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Former President Ronald Reagan celebrates with his wife, Nancy, at their Bel-Air home in Los Angeles on Feb. 6, 2000, Reagan's 89th birthday. Reagan died four years later of pneumonia, a common Alzheimer's disease complication. (Associated Press)

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President Reagan announces the resignation of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger (right) during a briefing at the White House on June 17, 1986. Reagan said he would nominate Justice William H. Rehnquist (second from right) to the post of chief justice and Antonin Scalia (left) as a member of the Supreme Court. (Associated Press)

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House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Jr. (right) leans forward to ask President Reagan a question during the Social Security bill-signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 20, 1983, as various political figures look on. (Associated Press)

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President Reagan is flanked by West German Parliament President Philipp Jenninger (left) and Chancellor Helmut Kohl at West Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, where he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Associated Press)

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Ronald and Nancy Reagan were deeply affectionate, close friends say. (The Washington Times)

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In this Sept. 20, 1976 photo, Ronald Reagan is seen at a Hollywood sound studio as he began the taping of a new nationwide commentary program. (Associated Press)

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Among displays at the museum are a 1983 Cadillac presidential parade limousine that joined Reagan's motorcade in 1984, the real Air Force One and a bronze bust featuring his famous smile. (Garrett Cheen/Special to The Washington Times)

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This 1983 Cadillac presidential parade limousine joined Reagan's motorcade in January of 1984. (Garrett Cheen/Special to The Washington Times)

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Illustration: Ronald Reagan

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On the presidential campaign trail in Anderson, S.C., on Feb. 6, 1980, Ronald Reagan marks his 69th birthday, pulling up a chunk of the cake along with the candle, as wife Nancy looks on. Festivities will mark his birth centennial this week. (Associated Press)