25yrs Ago Today Hinckley Shot Reagan

Do you remember?

Published on March 30, 2006 By JillUser In Misc

I remember quite clearly the events of March 30, 1981. I was 11yrs old and watched in horror as footage showed our President, secret serviceman and James Brady getting shot over and over again. The image of Brady face down in a pool of blood was burned into my brain instantly.

Of course the overexposure of the video had to be made fun of and SNL was just the show to do it. My dad, much to my mom's dismay, let us stay up and watch Saturday Night Live on occasion (he also let us read comic strips in his Playboy magazines on occasion but that is another story). The "Buckwheat has been shot" skit was pure genius!

As we all know, luckily the bullet that hit Reagan failed to explode like it was supposed to. He was back to enjoying his jelly beans in no time. I remembered feeling a genuine warmth for President Reagan. I think there was something in his eyes when he smiled that reminded me of my paternal grandfather.

I can't believe that was 25yrs ago. Sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago and sometimes it seems like just yesterday. Matter of fact, I remember it far better than whatever I did yesterday

Comments

Dr Guy

on Mar 30, 2006

For some of us a bit older, it was the continuation of the Indian curse. And after the failed years of Carter, we were finally looking forward to putting America on top again and getting rid of the Vietnam Albatross. It was very scary, but afterwards, when the hype settled down and no one died (altho it finished James Brady's professional life), we were able to laugh at it once again.

And your dad and playboys! w00t! bet your mom had some words with him.

JillUser

on Mar 30, 2006

And your dad and playboys! w00t! bet your mom had some words with him.

That she did and continues to do. We'll have to watch him with the grandkids

Nah, I think I turned out pretty well rounded. I pretty sure he won't damage my kids any worse than he did me

He sure likes have grandsons after having only daughters though.

Back to Reagan, it was truly scary. It seemed totally unreal the first time I saw it. It is horribly sad how it turned out for James Brady.

Locamama

on Mar 30, 2006

I remember that I was in brownies which met in the basement of our church. Our leaders told us what happened and they made us go upstairs and pray for President Reagan. I really don't remember too much else about it.

Dynosoar

on Mar 30, 2006

I was stationed at APG, Maryland at the time. The base was mobilized for a few hours, rumours of Russians, etc.....really scary Cold War stuff.

Once the dust settled and a stand down was ordered, I recall a lot of relief, not just because Reagan was OK, but because the shooter was a nut job and not a Russian agent.

We were involved in field testing the new M-1, and nobody wanted to complete that testing in Eastern Europe. ( for the curious, MOS 45B, small arms and turret repair )

JillUser

on Mar 30, 2006

Thanks for the different perspective Dyno. I knew about the Cold War but didn't really have a firm grip on any real danger. I was only 11 after all.

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