I was inspired to write these words by Michael Reagan's Funeral Tribute to President Ronald Reagan Anyone can be a father. It takes a special someone to be a Dad. On behalf of myself, my brother and sister, I want to thank everyone for being here. On the one hand, I was dreading today. I don't want to cry anymore. I don't want to yearn to hug my dad one last time, long to see his smiling face or hear his cheerful voice. On the other hand, I wanted today to come so that I could be around all of the people who love my dad so that I might feel his presence through sharing memories of him,....sharing tears....and maybe even sharing some laughter, knowing that dad is with Mom again where he always wanted to be. Preparing these remarks has been quite a challenge for me. Dad was so many things to me that it's hard to know where to begin. He was my father, my mentor, and my best friend. When I think about him, the first feeling that rises in my heart is gratitude for his support and guidance, and thankfulness for the old fun times we had together. The most important thing about today for me is the opportunity it gives me to say "thank you" as loudly and clearly as I can. My Dad was my hero. He was the example that I have looked up to all my life. He was my best friend. He was my mentor and my protector. More than anything else, he was my Dad. My hero has passed on now, and he leaves my brother, sister and I to carry on the family name. We are proud of him, of all that he was, and of all that he accomplished. He will truly be missed. I see friends and relatives that have come great distances to be here for my Dad. I am humbled and quite frankly impressed at how he must have touched your lives. I can only speak for myself, but when I think of how he touched my life, the first word that comes to mind is “admiration”. I cannot tell you how inspiring it was to see his love and commitment for my Mother. He was committed to making her happy. If it was important to her, it was important to him. They were happily married for 48 years, and I know they are happy now together again in perfect health, dancing and laughing together. I thank you for being here today. That tells me that he touched your life in some way or another and that you will miss him too. I could not be more pleased. Bill Lindsey