REAGAN, GORBACHEV & ME: the Forrest Gump Part

There was great excitement in the air. This was indeed a very special occasion. It was more special (on both a global and personal level) than any of us could have realized at the time. Every Senator and Congressman and his wife who had any pull at all (mostly Republicans, very few Democrats) had come for this event. The Secret Service were everywhere, searching our belongings both at the Annex, and as we walked onto the driveway that led to the lawn. We were issued a Russian flag to wave (because we were too late to get Old Glory), and we were positioned on the very front of the driveway where the limos would pull up, and Reagan would walk out of the White House to meet the Russian. We started to laugh at how all the Soviet Secret Service (the KGB) must have gone to the same barber, because they all had the same haircut. But then in taking a good look at our own Secret Service guys, they apparently all went to the same barber, too -- and men’s suit shop (government issue?), etc.

While we were waiting, we were able to chat with a few of the Congressmen and other dignitaries around us. Yeah, we were rubbing elbows with the most powerful people in our nation, and we were all holding our breath in anticipation of seeing the very most powerful men on the whole earth step before us in the flesh – in this one spot on earth -- together. The expectation of this remarkable affair was almost unbearable. Then suddenly, the band began to play. The Zils approached the driveway and slowly made their way around to the back entrance of The White House. We were all clapping, cheering, and waving our flags with genuine excitement. Only a few short months ago, this meeting would had been unimaginable. Then, just as the last note finished, Gorbachev emerged from his Zil. It was an incredible sight.

I was overcome by the importance of this meeting. I was even more overcome that Gorbachev was a live, breathing human man. He walked upright and on the ground. He was personable, short, stalky, and looked like an ordinary human being. There was no glow, no horns, no aura, and no strange vibrations emanating from his person. He was balding, older, and yes – had a real birthmark on his forehead. Even stranger was the fact that Ronald Reagan was also very mortal appearing. He was much taller than Gorbachev, and more handsome (after all, he had been an actor of the leading-man genre). President Reagan came the closest to appearing regal because of his pre-presidency celebrity. However, it was strange seeing this man in 3-D, especially since I had seen him my whole life in 2-D. I was still stunned to realize that this person probably "put his pants on one leg at a time" like anyone else, and yet still held the future of our nation and the world in his stewardship. And right here, right now, that future and even my future would be determined by the meeting of these two mighty human beings.

President Reagan stepped forward and extended his hand to officially greet Gorbachev. Everyone held their breath as these historical foes stood toe to toe. Gorbachev grasped Reagan’s out-stretched hand, and everyone exhaled. The two stood shaking each other’s hands for a few minutes, while interpreters helped the two men exchange official greetings and communications of friendship, and the press took a million photos of the historical handshake. This act of needing interpreters made them seem almost feeble for a minute. They were a little self-conscious with each other as they continued with this exchange. Then they took turns making speeches.