I was one of millions who watched the Reagan Movie in the past couple of months. It was powerful and touching. If you haven’t already seen it, please make the effort. Back in 2014, my sister, mother and I had the opportunity to have an intimate visit to Reagan Ranch which is prominently featured in the movie.
One of the scenes in the movie features Reagan and Nancy dining at Chasen’s Restaurant—a Hollywood classic that closed in 1995. Seeing them in the restaurant reminded me of this special experience my husband and I had at Chasen’s in 1989.
Randy and I sat in our living room, with tears rolling down our face as we watched Ronald and Nancy Reagan wave goodbye and board the Marine helicopter following the inauguration of George H. W. Bush. That was January 20, 1989.
Two days later Randy and I went to the matinee of Into the Woods at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. As was typical for us, we looked for a lovely restaurant to enjoy for dinner that evening. We settled on Chasen’s of Beverly Hills, which was a favorite, special occasion location for us.
While we were just being served our appetizers, we noticed several men in suits with those curly-que earpieces in, walking through the restaurant. Not long after we noticed that Ronald and Nancy Reagan were being ushered into a nearby booth. Randy remembered that Reagan began his political career at Chasen’s and had always told Maude Chasen, when he retired from politics, the first place he would come would be Chasen’s. And we were there to bear witness to it.
There was a calm in the restaurant as everyone left them alone, so they could dine in peace. One little girl all dressed up in a fluffy dress with a satin bow was allowed to go greet the former President. I was sitting only a few booths away and was able to have straight sight of the couple while they ate.
We ate as slowly as was reasonable, so we could stay in the restaurant as long as possible. Ronald and Nancy finished before us and as they stood to leave, the entire restaurant rose to their feet and applauded! They were met with cheers of, “Thank you, Mr. President.” President Reagan was so touched by the outpouring of love, that he reached for the sommelier’s napkin to wipe away his tears.
President and Nancy Reagan were ushered out a private side door and quietly slipped away, to begin their private life.
I hold those moments as sacred in my memory and got teary just rewriting them—perhaps the same happened for you as you read.
Have you seen the movie? If yes, please share your reactions here and encourage others to see it.
Through her speaking and writing, Lauren encourages people with her heartfelt messages and practical presentations. She is the author of The Art of Helping – What to say and Do When Someone is Hurting. Lauren and her family are active in both church and community choral groups. She lives in Redlands, CA.