Column: An Immigrant's Dream

I am married to an immigrant. Among the many definitions that people apply to this word is "a person who comes into a new country".

In my years of living I have known several immigrants personally — first as friends. In these personal situations they were sometimes students here on student visas for the purpose of obtaining an American college education and a diploma. Others were fleeing an oppressive regime and seeking political asylum here in the United States. Finally, among these acquaintances were those who entered the country on a visitor's visa and wound up falling in love with this nation, its values, and its customs.

All of these new comers mentioned above came basically with an energy, a focus to succeed, a strong work ethic, a love of personal movement, a need for free speech unfettered by dictators, and a willingness to adapt. Two of these immigrants married me, but not at the same time! My first husband's life was cut short by a malignant brain tumor while living here in the States. As a young Ohio State college student getting a degree in architecture he knew quickly that he wanted to stay in this nation.

With an unusual determination to conquer the language and to find a place in this culture, he succeeded in many ways to "Americanize" himself. You can view on YouTube if interested the story we shared together.

Jose, my Spaniard, is very much like Faroogh in determination, work ethic, focus, and passionate love for this country only — among all the other nations he could have chosen to set up residence in...it was the U.S.A. Both of these immigrants sought and applied for American citizenship. They waited their turn. They were vetted over a lengthy time period, and finally were awarded that coveted citizenship paper of naturalized citizenship status. Faroogh never got to fulfill all of his personal wishes, but he was totally unselfish by nature and contributed greatly to the area he worked in and made his living in--New York State. On the other hand, Jose, my Spaniard, got to personally fulfill one of his "bucket list" hopes — a trip to visit the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

A journey by car through the Sierra Mountains abundantly filled with an extraordinary winter's downfall of snow was not this lady's idea of a sane excursion. However, because Jose had received a VIP invitation to attend an event honoring the "Big Bands of the 1940's" it seemed too good of an opportunity to turn down. Attire was formal which meant the Spaniard had to wear a tux — with white suspenders which he objected to vigorously. He did not want to offend Bob Beckel of Fox News, but neither did he want to look like him. We went, we arrived, and we were conquered by the scene. There are 13 presidential libraries with the 14th about to be started--former President Barack Obama has chosen Chicago for his site. I have seen only one other — that of Franklin Roosevelt's in Hyde Park, New York. This New York president served during difficult days — the Great Depression and World War 2. The family's 265 acre spread named Springwood was not only his childhood home but his life time residence.

While the estate displays the great wealth of the Roosevelts, it also reflects a darkness. FDR's decisions concerning the matters of war were often made at the desk Queen Victoria gave as a gift. Those conversations with his Cabinet were for the most part serious and often secret to the American public — the Manhattan Project being one of those closely held national security programs. The atmosphere of this presidential library reflects the gravity of the times.

In stark contrast stands the Reagan Library. Situated atop a mountain overlooking the surrounding mountains and the Pacific Ocean, one immediately has the impression of serenity and calmness. There is a genuine air of optimism and hope as one enters the Spanish hacienda grounds. One does not sense a place of egotism, self-worth, or self-aggrandizement. Actually, there is an air of humbleness and public purpose. You are definitely aware that this particular place and site are a gift to the United States, the state of California, and to all Americans. It is a national treasure trove of memories especially to those who lived the 1970's, 1980's and the 1990's. Like many of you, I was there too during those decades.

The Library's 100 acre site is just 45 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. With more than 100,000 square feet and 24 galleries, one does not feel rushed for time or space. There is a personal feel that everything chosen as artifacts was done so very carefully and with context. The details have the touch of the former First Lady. There is an intimacy of memory that is quietly and with reflection brought back to the visitor. The grounds are immaculate, even after its opening in 1991 and after some 5 million visitors/guests. I saw my husband pause at length at the replicated Oval Office. The exact dimensions of the real Oval Office in Washington D.C. have been preserved for the public to view up close and personal. This exact replica reflects accurately President Reagan's time as Commander-in-Chief.

The life-size full portraits of President Reagan seem to be welcoming you personally to his Presidency. This was the man who captured for both Faroogh and Jose the essence of America. They rallied to Reagan's wittiness, his political willingness to know the other Washingtonians, Democrats and Republicans, and to his middle America values. They especially liked President Reagan's informal way of getting to know foreign heads of state such as Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain and Michael Gorbachev of the Soviet Union.

In Geneva, Switzerland, as then President Reagan relates in his autobiography, he and Soviet Premier Gorbachev were to sit down at a summit meeting on nuclear arms reductions, Reagan had quietly arranged beforehand for a small boathouse with a roaring fire to be readied so that the two leaders could get to know each other on a more personal basis. It apparently worked because two more summits were planned by both men and each had an invitation to visit each other's country. Reagan's sense of a personal touch to diplomacy and his Irish roots for telling a good story while "in the action" speaks loudly to the immigrant spirit. A great sense of humor is inherent and absolutely necessary for a successful life in a new country. My two husbands had both in abundance! However, the greatest surprise was still awaiting...

Simply put, my husband's eyes were transfixed on Air Force One, the presidential plane, which is the centerpiece of the huge pavilion which houses this Boeing 707 27000. This is the only Presidential Boeing to carry more Presidents than any other carrier. Richard Nixon was the first to use 27000 in 1973, and then came Presidents Carter, Ford, Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush. The 27000's replacement, a Boeing 747 with a tail number 28000, was ordered by the Reagan administration but not received until 1990 in the Bush administration. A brand new 747 is in the planning stages with brand new perks.

The Reagan Library received 27000 in a decommissioning ceremony on September 8, 2001 at the San Bernadino International Airport. 27000 was disassembled over a nine-week period by a nine-person crew from The Boeing Company into the following sections: fuselage, tail and stabilizers, engines, main landing gear and wings. It was then transported to the Reagan Library by truck on a specially designed trailer crossing four freeways, traveling 104 miles. The truck departed San Bernardino at 11:00pm on June 20, 2003 and arrived at the hilltop at 5:00am on June 21, 2003. With the roof and 2 1/2 walls of the Pavilion constructed, 27000 was towed inside on September 20, 2004, where Boeing reassembled the plane in ten weeks . It was then hoisted onto its pedestals and secured by its landing gear. The final task of painting and polishing the plane took five months. This incredible task was unveiled September 23, 2005.

Air Force One Pavilion opened to the public on October 24, 2005. This unique "home away from home" seated 52 passengers, cruised at 540 nautical miles mph, flew at a ceiling of 42,000 feet, and could fly 6,650 nautical miles before refueling. Of course, the new Air Force One that President Trump flies on has been completely updated and those details remain strictly secret. To witness this American spirit and technology within the entire Pavilion, but especially with Air Force One, is so worth the trip!

For my husband who does NOT fly, his walk through of this unique plane and the opportunity to see "first hand" what is on board, should have been peaceful and calm. Jose literally felt like the engine was on and ready to take off--he took all of one minute to enter and exit and never asked the attendants one single question! Carol took her time. In the galleries there are several photos of President Reagan sitting in the cockpit right behind the Presidential pilot. Since absolutely no pictures are allowed to be taken inside the plane, one has to trust as much as possible to memory. The infamous jelly beans were quite visible and throughout the plane.

A separate small kitchen exists up front where the President and First Lady's meals were prepared by the head chef in the White House who went on all major trips. There is a smaller kitchenette for staff and reporters and other guests. Sleeping quarters for the First Lady and her private dress area is adequate for her and there is a comfortable sofa which pulled out as a bed for the 6'1 President. A stunning HUGE chocolate cake with cherries (stems and all) is reserved for all guests on every trip. Bathrooms are located in the back of the plane for the entourage. It is a remarkable piece of history that the Reagans gave all of to see and experience.

As Jose and I shared a table with two other invited guests for that night's gala event, I could see that a dream here had been achieved for my Spaniard. The man who most inspired my husband to become an American was "in spirit" with all of us who were enjoying his hospitality as he would have done for his guests in the White House. This unique [piece of American history is for all of us, the American people; one does not feel egotism or narcissism. I would encourage everyone who has an appreciation for this man and his philosophy to serve " out of strength, not weakness", to plan a visit someday. It is California, the weather is usually fantastic, the views are spectacular, and the Library's decor changes with each season of the year.

Perhaps after traveling through history with the Reagan "days", one is most touched by the gallery which centers at the very end on the assassination attempt by John Hinckley. Just how close Reagan came to death was unknown by the American public until his recovery was well under way. His wit under duress amazed the emergency doctors and nurses totally, and it is fully shown and described on those gallery walls. Finally, from the recovery of a near death experience to his battle with Alzheimer's,v his wife, Nancy, tells about this path in words and photographs. It is poignant. The former First Lady described it as a "long and lonely good-bye".

Our final memory was of President Reagan's favorite riding boots which were installed backwards on the fallen warrior horse during the State funeral in Washington D.C. The very last moments of our walk was to spend some time at the final resting place for both Ronald and Nancy Reagan — simple but elegant as it overlooks Simi Valley and the Pacific Ocean.

I noticed the wetness around my husband's eyes and I knew that a final good-bye had also taken place within himself to a man that he respected and for a man who represented American hope, American strength, and American opportunity for any immigrant who was willing to embrace " Americanism" as defined by the values of this American President. Put this trip on your "bucket list"!

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