Ronald Reagan’s 115th Birthday Commemoration

Welcome back. I'm Tiffany Meyer. A special birthday ceremony honoring former President Reagan was held today at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Southern California entities. Christina Corona reports on the military tribute and keynote remarks delivered at the event. We're here at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in the city of Simi Valley, where officials and supporters gathered to honor and celebrate President Reagan on what would have been his 115th birthday. The ceremony includes a military honor, an official White House wreath and remarks by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The ceremony began with military honors, music by the Camp Pendleton Marine Division Band, a 21 gun salute and a flyover. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy delivered the keynote address. McCarthy praised Reagan for his accomplishments, saying that even on his birthday, it was Reagan who gave Americans the gifts. That gift is the gift of the ability to apply the traditions of the past to a changing future. McCarthy said Reagan helped change America. When Reagan took office, inflation was at 13% interest rates hitting 20% and unemployment was high. People had lost faith. In response, Reagan cut taxes. He slashed regulation. He unleashed free enterprise, and he made it easier for Americans to save and start a family. McCarthy also shared three lessons he learned from President Reagan. Lesson number one, peace without freedom is meaningless. Lesson number two, trust ordinary people to control their own destinies. And lesson three, America is too great for small visions. Organizers say Reagan's legacy is still important today. President Reagan believes so much in America, American pride, optimism, the future, freedom and democracy, all things that are just important today as they were for Ronald Reagan's era, as they were for our founding fathers. Organizers say the annual tribute is meant to preserve President Reagan's legacy and to remind future generations of his impact on the country. Reporting from Simi Valley, California, Christina Corona NTD News.