Queen and Thatcher Lead Tributes to Ex-President Reagan

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10:49pm (UK)
By James Lyons and Matt Adams, PA News

The Queen and Baroness Thatcher tonight led the tributes to former US President Ronald Reagan, who has died at the age of 93.

Mr Reagan died with his wife Nancy and their children at his side at the family’s home in California tonight.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Queen is saddened by the news.”

Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher hailed Mr Reagan as “a truly great American hero”.

She told PA News: “President Reagan was one of my closest political and dearest personal friends.

“He will be missed not only by those who new him and not only by the nation that he served so proudly and loved so deeply, but also by millions of men and women who live in freedom today because of the policies he pursued.

“Ronald Reagan had a higher claim than any other leader to have won the Cold War for liberty and he did it without a shot being fired.

“To have achieved so much against so odds and with such humour and humanity made Ronald Reagan a truly great American hero.”

Conservative leader Michael Howard told PA News: “This is an enormously sad day.

“President Reagan was one of the towering figures of our time, the man who with Margaret Thatcher won the Cold War for the West.

“It is so sadly ironic that he should have died as we prepare to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the day when the Allies began the liberation of Europe.

“We in Britain, as in so many other places around the world, owe him an ever-lasting debt. May he rest in peace.”

©2004 Scotsman.com

Reply 1 - Posted by: jerico, 6/5/2004 8:18:29 PM God Bless Maggie.

Reply 2 - Posted by: jatfla , 6/5/2004 8:19:26 PM President Reagan and Mrs. Thatcher...what a great pair!!!! Two kindred-spirits.

Reply 3 - Posted by: JHSMom02, 6/5/2004 8:29:24 PM Eternal Rest Grant unto him, Oh Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him.

Reply 4 - Posted by: englishleigh, 6/5/2004 9:18:38 PM Thank you, Mrs. Thatcher.

Reply 5 - Posted by: Lawsy0, 6/5/2004 10:14:20 PM Will God grant us another 'greatest generation' like these? Pray.

Reply 6 - Posted by: stormy, 6/5/2004 10:22:01 PM This is a beautiful tribute. Thank you Baroness Thatcher and to the Queen for her statement.

Reply 7 - Posted by: Grocksill, 6/5/2004 10:32:24 PM I will say this. I think these two ladies are tough old birds. Lady Thatcher: George don't go wobbily. And I think the queen has never forgotten WWII. Her kids are a different story. But I think William should serve in the military to give him a perspctive. I think the Queen has served her country with all she has.

Reply 8 - Posted by: Dixie, 6/5/2004 10:42:56 PM Golda Meir, may she rest in peace, also thought highly of him, and he of her.

Reply 9 - Posted by: ivehadit, 6/5/2004 11:18:47 PM Clinton(s)- eat your hearts out: Ronald Reagan was a GIANT. George W. Bush is a GIANT. Something you can never attain in several lifetimes. God bless you and thank you, Ronald Reagan for SO MUCH.

Reply 10 - Posted by: Jethro bo, 6/5/2004 11:43:46 PM God bless all Ldotters. I have shed a tear or two at the passing of President Reagan. However, the strength, admiration and respect I have read from other Ldotters is very comforting. I always knew I would cry at Reagan’s passing and of course that has happened. But to understand the depth and appreciation of others has helped me. God bless the Reagan’s in their time of grief and tanks Ldotters for the support.

Reply 11 - Posted by: rose of sharon, 6/6/2004 12:34:32 AM Reagan's humor and wisdom are so memorable - he's with Maureen his daughter whose death was a heartbreak also! In our Orthodox readings it's interesting that for this Sunday of All Saints, we read "remember all rulers of the nations, that it is the Lord Who has raised you to lead" (from Wisdom of Solomon). And so it was with Reagan..and now Bush. God spare us from another Clinton.