THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A20 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Although he was shot in an attempted assassination in 1981 and had cancer surgery four years later, former President Ronald Reagan is one of those people who seemed somehow to have escaped the toll that aging takes on most people.
Those who were around in the late 1930s may recall his film debut as a radio announcer in ``Love Is On The Air'' or his roles in other movies in which he epitomized wholesomeness.
In the 1940s, he was a swarthy Western hero in such shows as ``Santa Fe Trail.'' The early television generation got to know him as host of ``The General Electric Theater'' and host of, and performer in, ``Death Valley Days.''
Even after his terms as governor of California and as President of the United States, even with his role as the conservative icon of the Democrat-turned-Republican, Ronald Regan probably is most often linked with a 1940 movie, ``Knute Rockne - All American,'' in which he portrayed football star George (The Gipper) Gipp.
It's much easier to visualize Mr. Reagan as an upright cowboy or a versatile football player than as an elderly man finally caught by aging. So it is understandable that the nation, indeed the world, would be saddened by his recent announcement that he has the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
The Gipper, a wonderfully youthful 83, said he feels good now and hopes his disclosure will heighten public awareness of Alzheimer's. His lucid and forthright letter said, ``I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience.''
So do we all. Alzheimer's, which affects about 4 million Americans, causes brain cells to die. Results include personality changes, memory loss and impaired judgment.
Victims eventually need 24-hour care. The disease's course varies, with some people deteriorating rapidly and others living several years and eventually dying of other causes. Any family that has encountered Alzheimer's knows only too well its devastating impact.
So we join with others around the world in prayers for Mr. Reagan, his family, others who have Alzheimer's and their families.
Even as he begins ``the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life,'' Mr. Reagan inspires with courage befitting The Gipper:
``When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.'' ILLUSTRATION: Cartoon
by CNB