More than 100,000 people filed by the late President Ronald Reagan’s casket at the library in California and another 150,000 to 200,000 did the same before his body was removed from the capital in Washington, D.C.

Reagan inspires many accolades, more than the space on this page will allow. His accomplishments included his transformation of the Republican Party from a minority regional party of the North to a majority national party that welcomed all Americans by winning those in the South. He did this based on a commitment to limited government and individual liberty.

He will be remembered for turning America around economically by reducing the top tax rate from 70 percent to 28 percent and setting America on a path of job creation and increasing the standards of living for all Americans. His victory over the Soviet Empire has put his name in history books. His policies of military strength ended the Cold War.

His leadership constituted the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

He will go down in history as one of the most beloved presidents. His stature has only grown since he left office in 1989 after eight years in the White House. The latest polls show his approval rating at an incredible 73 percent. Truly, Ronald Wilson Reagan is considered one of the most popular presidents.

We realize that some may disagree with our praise of the late Ronald Reagan, but we are in a mourning period for an important national leader and, at this time, want to focus on the good things he did for our country.

Even though there are those who may disagree with Reagan’s policies, they will admit that his service was great and he was a man of inspiration. He inspired us at his speech near the Berlin Wall in 1987, saying “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

As Colin Powell, Reagan’s national security adviser said upon hearing of his death, “President Reagan fueled the spirit of America. His smile, his optimism, his total belief in the ultimate triumph of democracy and freedom, and his willingness to act on that belief, helped end the Cold War and usher in a new and brighter phase of history.”