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Reagan: Do not let America's story sink into the Memory Hole

In his farewell address, Ronald Reagan implored his countrymen to hang onto their nation's history

Date published: 6/18/2004

ARLINGTON--George Wash- ington warned the young Republic against entering into "entangling alliances." Dwight Eisenhower sounded an alarm about the potential influence of a "military-industrial complex."

Warnings in presidential farewells have become something of an American tradition. In his farewell address, delivered to the nation on Jan. 11, 1989, after eight years in office, Ronald Reagan also delivered a somber warning.

Because of the eloquence and characteristic optimism of the address, the Reagan warning has not been emblazoned on the national consciousness. It should be. It is more timely now than ever.

President Reagan was proud of the resurgence of national pride that occurred on his watch, something he called "the new patriotism." However, he was worried that it could be short-lived.

"This national feeling is good, but it won't count for much, and it won't last," he said, "unless it's grounded in thoughtfulness and knowledge."

A believer in local control of education, Reagan was worried that the teaching of United States history was going into irreversible decline.

His words of warning have a chilling ring now that we know the memory-robber called Alzheimer's was about to mar the final 10 years of his life. But his warning was not to his own family, but to citizens of his beloved country:

"If we forget what we did, we won't know who we are," said Reagan. "I am warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit."

Reagan said the objective should be "an informed patriotism." He asked: "Are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world?"

As Memorial Day weekend began, with its dedication of the National World War II Memorial on the Mall, The Washington Post published a remarkable story by education writer Jay Mathews that suggests the answer to Reagan's question is "No."

On the basis of extensive interviews with students and teachers, Mathews found that today's high school students commonly receive high grades for their history courses without knowing what year World War II ended, or being able to name a single battle or general, or even being able to identify the country's wartime presidents--FDR and Harry Truman.

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Date published: 6/18/2004