Goodbye To The Iron Lady

Yesterday, Monday, April 8, 2013, here in the United States it was just after daybreak that we received the news that Baroness Margaret Thatcher had passed away. She was 87 years of age. She was the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ('79 - '90).

She was the "Iron Lady" to her nation and to the world. She led her nation during some of the most illustrious times in our world's history; the Cold War. Then again, she also led her nation through some rough economic, political, and civil times and still managed to come out on top.

 To me she was one of the symbols of the Cold War. Though I never met the former Prime Minister, I did get a chance to work in direct contact with the Soldiers and Officers that were members of the British Forces in Berlin when I was based in Berlin. I remember those Soldiers spoke very highly of their Prime Minister.

For the most part, I do not recall a time that I ever heard a Brit talk bad about the leader of their nation on the contrary they were full of praise for their leader. I recall that for the most part they were not happy with their pay or their government food rations, then again ALL soldiers complain about their pay and that which is attempted to be passed off as military food. However, it says a lot about a nation and the soldiers that protect that nation when they completely believe in and stand firmly behind their leaders and the leadership they instill in those they lead.

Then again, it comes as no surprise because of her uncompromising politics and leadership style the nickname "Iron Lady" given to her by a Soviet reporter stuck with her till her last day and beyond.

Baroness Margaret Thatcher will always stand among the great World Leaders of all time.

Requiescat In Pace


(image courtesy of wikipedia.org)

Ronald Reagan Strasse or Ronald Reagan Platz?

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