Patriotic Americans around the nation celebrated the birthday of President Ronald Reagan on February 6, 2017. In La Crosse, approximately a dozen friends gathered at Freighthouse to participate in a tradition that started several years ago. Participants are invited to introduce themselves and provide their own personal memories of who most consider to be the greatest president in their lifetime. Stories around the dinner table were heart felt and deeply personal. One participant spoke of her experience at a campaign event during the 1980's when she had an opportunity to get a button signed by Reagan who then gave her a big hug. "I just kept thinking, 'Wow! This guy is built!'" she recalled sparking a whole conversation among other guests about the remarkable personality of President Reagan.

Another tradition for these La Crosse conservatives is to each pick out a Reagan quote from a stack and then recite them one-by-one to remember this remarkable man. Here were just two of the selections from this evening:

I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life.

How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.

After enjoying dinner, participants of this birthday party competed to win prizes by answering trivia questions about the 40th President of the United States. One young man won a jar of jelly beans by knowing that President Reagan's favorite meal in the White House was mac & cheese.

Thinking back on the several years I have been honored to participate in this tradition I cannot help but marvel at how one man could have such a deep impact on so many lives. There was some conversation about this very phenomenon and one conclusion was that Reagan embodied the same spirit that helped found the United States. Liberty, justice, and standing up for what is right. These are the kinds of American principles that must never be forgotten.

God bless all of the Americans who participate in events like this around the nation. May we always remember this great man and pass his wisdom and patriotism on to all future generations of Liberty-loving Americans!