"I'd travel halfway around the world to meet with the VFW": Ronald Reagan 1911-2004

Former President Ronald Reagan, who died on June 5, 2004, had a long relationship with VFW. In August 1975, he appeared at the national convention to receive VFW's Citizenship Award. As a presidential candidate in 1980, he addressed the national convention delegation in Chicago.

As President in 1983, he signed the Emergency Veterans Job Training Act of 1982 during the convention's joint opening session. In March 1988 at the Mid-Winter Conference, he endorsed a Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs.

Listed below are some of the more notable quotes he made to VFW audiences over the years.

"Well, it's time we recognized that ours was, in truth, a noble cause [in Vietnam]. We dishonor the memory of 50,000 young Americans who died in that cause when we give way to feelings of guilt as if we were doing something shameful, and we have been shabby in our treatment of those who returned.

"They fought as well and as bravely as any Americans have ever fought in any war. They deserve our gratitude, our respect and our continuing concern."

--Aug. 18, 1980

"[VFW members] have defended America's heritage and fought for the freedom, not only of our nation, but of peoples all over the world. Today as veterans you're still defending freedom. Whether it is supporting adequate defense budgets or aid to the freedom fighters in Nicaragua ... members of the VFW are still on the front lines, still leading the charge, and still showing what true patriotism really means."

--March 7, 1988

"This bill does not give Cabinet rank to just a government agency, it gives Cabinet rank to every veteran."

--Signing of the legislation making VA the Department of Veterans Affairs, Oct. 25, 1988

"The nation has a special commitment to those who have served in the military. That commitment includes not only our continuing respect, but practical assistance as well. They [veterans] did their best for us; now we must do our best for them."--Aug. 15, 1983

"The lesson we learned in Vietnam is never to ask young men to fight and die unless the goal is full and complete victory. When a government decides a war isn't worth winning, the people decide it isn't worth fighting."--Aug. 18, 1975

"We face a major threat of unreconstructed communism all over the world. Therefore, any negotiation that is to be done in dealing with the Communists must be done from a position of power and strength, because that's the only language they understand."--Aug. 18, 1975

--by the Editors