"Nov. 5, 1994

My Fellow Americans,

 I have been recently told that I am one of the millions of American who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease.

 Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.

 In the past Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had my cancer surgeries. We found through our disclosure we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal healthy lives.

So now, we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.

 At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.

 Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's Disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.

 In closing, let me thank you, the American people for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.

 I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.

 Thank you my friends. May God always bless you.

 Sincerely,

 Ronald Reagan"

Stan's Notes: Ronald Reagan was my favorite of all our presidents. I believe he was June's favorite also. I remember that June saved articles and clippings about him. She also saved the articles from his funeral even though she herself was then deep in the shadows of Alzheimer's.

June, like Ronald Reagan had a strong faith in God. Reagan's daughter Patti said about her father: "He did have something special with God; he talked to God all the time...He just had conversations with God."

Ronald Reagan enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1937. He was ordered to active duty in World War II. He was classified for limited duty due to his condition of near sightedness. He was transferred to the air force. During WWII he served from April 18th, 1942 until December 1945 after the war ended.* He held the rank of Captain on discharge.

During his acting career he was President of the Screen Actors Guild. A former Democrat he became a Republican in 1962. He later became Governor of California from 1967-1975.

 Reagan was a popular President (1981-1989) winning his second term in a landslide.

Reagan was a close friend and ally with Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of England. He said of her that she was "The best man in England." She in turn said of him that he was "The second most important man in my life." It was revealed in 2008 that Margaret Thatcher is also suffering from Alzheimer's with memory symptoms dating back to the year 2000.

President Reagan passed away in 2004 after a 10 year struggle with Alzheimer's. He died at the age of 93. (1911-2004) The average life expectancy after diagnosis with Alzheimer's is 8 years.

It is said that one's remaining life expectancy is reduced to one half after an Alzheimer's diagnosis. President Reagan probably would have lived to be 100 if Alzheimer's had not taken over his life.

It was almost 11 exhausting years after June's diagnosis in January of 1998, before God finally took her home. June passed away on 23 October 2008 just  a few days short of her 81st birthday.  Using the rule of shortened life expectancy, one would have expected June to live to approximately 90 plus years.

 * Because of the high risk factor of age, the veterans of WWII have been hard hit by Alzheimer's Disease. Approximately 50% of the WWII veterans who are  still alive, have this terrible disease.

Note: June Berg's funeral announcement as published in the Minneapolis Star - Tribune in October 2008 can also be found on this website on the top blue navigation strip under the "In Memoriam" label and on the drop down menu as "June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam"