This past February 6, 2011 the world celebrated what would have been former US President Ronald Reagan's 100th Birthday a debate was taking place in the German capital city of Berlin. The debate was that of whether or not to name a street or square in honor of US President Ronald Reagan for his role in the bringing the Cold War to the end.
Of course, President Reagan did not end the Cold War by himself but when a leader of a Nation takes the lead to make something happen certainly the commitment and determination of those that support and follow such leaders will do what they can to make it happen. Such leadership against the Cold War, the Soviet Union, and Communism lead to its inevitable conclusion: The Fall of the Berlin Wall, the eventual break up of the Warsaw Pact and finally, the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Thus the Cold War came to an end.
Now the question: Why not, at least, a street or square in honor of the man who went to the Berlin and stood near the Berlin Wall close to the base of the Brandenburg Gate and called out to General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev on June 12, 1987 when he said, "..if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"?
Since the end of World War II until the Fall of the Berlin Wall other men and women have gone to Berlin, some were Presidents, some were Diplomats, some were even Soldiers. All were there to ensure that Freedom was Defended and that the Right of Access to West Berlin was maintained. When all was said and done, the wall did fall and it was not until everyone was certain that the mission was accomplished that the Soldiers of the Berlin Brigade and other Allied Forces departed the city they came to Know, Live in, and Love.
So, to answer the question of whether or not to name a Berlin street or square after US President Ronald Reagan this US Army Veteran, who proudly served in Berlin, is a Most Definite: YES, Please and Thank You!!!
US President Ronald Reagan, Berlin Brigade, Cold War, West Berlin, Berlin Wall, Tear Down This Wall, Ronald Reagan Strasse or Ronald Reagan Platz
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