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DEATH OF A PRESIDENT
There is something deeply
touching when a
President dies .
It's almost like a timewarp
for suddenly I'm brought
back to my early
childhood years
when I experienced the
death of FDR .
I remember sitting across the
street from my home in
Nahant, Massachusetts
feeling the deep pall of
heavy sadness that
permeated everything .
It was like the world had
suddenly turned grey.
There was no television then
but their was no need for it ~
for everyone , from ten to 80 years old,
felt the emotional impact of the
death of FDR .
He had shepherded the
Nation through World War 2
and had become larger
than life in the process.
The elaborate ceremony
with the horse-drawn
caisson , riderless horse
and procession of honor
connects to our rich tradition
of Presidents ~ many of whom
have also sheperded the nation
through perilous times .
Who can forget the funeral tribute
to JFK but it was no different for
the millions of Americans
who lined the railroad tracks
when they brought Lincoln
back home to Illinois .
With the passing of Ronald Reagan
we honor in many ways
the office of president for it
carries immense responsibility
and demands honesty, integrity
and forthrightness.
Let us remember that
when we choose our
next president in
November, 2004 .
Allen L Roland
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