SUMMARY: Friends who made a personal visit to see President Reagan report he is alert and doing well.

TEXT: President Ronald Reagan’s 85th birthday party was held Feb. 6 at Chasen’s restaurant in Los Angeles, and though the Gipper does not appear in public these days, 500 friends came to celebrate. The public hasn’t seen him since he announced 15 months ago that he is suffering from Alzheimer’s, an irreversible brain disease, and millions of Americans have been deeply concerned. When my brother John and I visited him recently, I knew we were being afforded a rare opportunity.

We knew about the Alzheimer’s, and we had heard his official biographer speak sadly of his condition, but we had an appointment and flew from Washington to Los Angeles with prayers in our hearts. As we walked into his office his secretary said, “Mr. President, Craig and John Shirley are here.”

“Well, yes,” he responded with that wonderful, sunny smile. He paused from writing a letter and rose to greet us.

There was Ronald Wilson Reagan – fit, alert and big as life. A few more gray hairs graced the trademark coif, but the blue eyes still had their familiar twinkle and the handshake still was strong and firm.

The last time I had seen Reagan was in Houston at the 1992 Republican National Convention. At the conclusion of his speech, I turned to a friend who also had tears in his eyes, and he said, “You’re thinking what I’m thinking.” “Yeah,” I said. “He’s going back to California and we’re never gonna see him again.”

My political introduction to Reagan had come in 1965 when I was 9 years old. My father made my brother and me listen to an LP of Reagan’s 1964 “Rendezvous With Destiny” speech supporting Barry Goldwater’s candidacy for president. “This man Reagan should himself be president,” Dad said at the time.

No one I ever met could touch people in the profound way Reagan did. A friend of mine who worked for John F. Kennedy saw the same quality in his old boss, and we are in agreement that this breed of political leader rarely is seen.

Back in 1986, I arranged for my brother John to have his picture taken with Reagan. John, who may qualify as a bigger Reagan fan than even I, was terribly disappointed when the White House photographer somehow lost the negative and John’s “Kodak moment” had to stay just a memory. I promised I would arrange another meeting, but I was surprised by the call that came last August. The president’s office in Century City had extended an invitation for us to visit Reagan in Los Angeles.

I never held a position in the Reagan White House, but working at the Republican National Committee during his first term and for a political group with close ties to the White House during his second, I had worked with Reagan and his staff on many occasions. But I still got a chill every time I saw him, and this was no exception.

Reagan looked terrific. Sporting a well-tailored blue blazer, gray slacks with a crease that could cut wood and a spit shine on his shoes, he still projected the confidence and fatherly authority I remembered.

We chatted for 10 minutes about California, retirement, the Reagan Library and other light topics. He pointed out several photos and mementos on the shelves behind his desk. Speaking for myself and my conservative friends back East, I said, “Mr. President, I don’t know if you miss Washington, but Washington sure misses you.” He chuckled, and I could tell from his laugh that he was happy with his life in California but appreciated the sentiments just the same.

Small talk is never easy with a big man, but Reagan still knew how to put a visitor at ease. When John asked, “Mr. President, do you come into the office every day?” Reagan quipped with a grin, “Not on the seventh day!”

He told us flooding had kept him away from his ranch recently, but that he goes into the office every day for four or five hours. His routine includes meeting often with old Hollywood friends for lunch and playing golf several times a week.

After 20 minutes, our visit was over. As we left his office, I couldn’t help turning back to see him watching us depart. All I could think of was to say, “God bless you, sir.”

This is not your usual Insight article, I know, scrupulously full of balance. You already know I’m a Reaganite and proud to say it. I’m sure there’s still a critic out there for every Reagan supporter, but I am equally sure that every last one of his old opponents and friends will be glad to know that when we visited we found Reagan alert, happy and as personally warm and witty as ever.

It was a day to remember: My brother had his picture, and I returned to cynical Washington to remind my friends that big changes are possible when one has big beliefs and trust in the American people to make a better future. For both Republicans and Democrats – and remember, he was both – that’s the real Reagan legacy.

LOAD-DATE: February 26, 1996

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

GRAPHIC: Photo (color), Still at work: Craig Shirley and his brother John (center) visit the former president at his office.

Copyright 1996 News World Communications, Inc.