Description:

Ronald Reagan writes an inspirational letter as President on White House Letterhead: "I happen to believe in the power of such prayers. The Lord told us where 2 or more were gathered in his name, there would He be also. I honestly believe I feel the strength those prayers have given me."

RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004) Typed Letter Signed, "Ron," as President, 2 pages, 7" x 10.5" on White House letterhead, Washington, December 19, 1983 to Dolores and Paul Ballachino of Boston, New York offering encouragement to Paul Ballachino after his recent bypass surgery. Expected mailing folds, extremely light soiling to second page, well clear of signature and text, else very fine condition.

" Thanks very much for your Christmas greeting and good letter. Nancy and I wish you both the very best of holidays -- a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Paul, I know how you feel after the bypass surgery. I know because my brother -- now 75 -- had a heart attack about 20 years ago followed by the same operation you've had. When he isn't playing 18 holes of gold he's off deep sea fishing. I have a later case you might like to hear about. A friend of mine, a very successful screenwriter, did the Jim Thorpe picture and the Monte Stratton story (Jimmy Stewart played Monte). Just a short time ago my friend had a bypass operation. This was about 2 years ago. His big sport has always been rock climbing. This summer he climbed 11,000 foot Mt. Jacinto in California. That was only a trial run for what he did next. He wrote me a couple of months ago to tell me he had just returned from Nepal where he climbed Mt. Everest -- 27,000 feet -- all the way to the top. Now I'm not suggesting you take up mountain climbing. I just thought you'd like to know there isn't much you can't do after the wounds are healed. So if Dolores asked you to clear out the garage or get the cat down off the roof you'll just have to do it. Dolores, I've written to your nephew. I'm very touched by what he and his friends are doing for me. I happen to believe in the power of such prayers. The Lord told us where 2 or more were gathered in his name, there would He be also. I honestly believe I feel the strength those prayers have given me. Again, Merry Christmas to you both and God bless you."

John Neil Reagan (1908-1996) was Reagan's only sibling and followed him to California to become a successful television producer and advertising executive. He had a brief acting career and even directed his brother Ronald in the television series, Death Valley Days. In 1980 Neil Reagan served as a delegate to the 1980 Republican National Convention that nominated his brother for the presidency.

The screenwriter to whom Reagan refers was Douglas Morrow (1913-1994) whose screenplays for Jim Thorpe -- All American and The Stratton Story came early in his professional career. Following these successes, he went on to television writing for such series as Waterfront, Schlitz Playhouse, Naked City, The Donna Reed Show, The Lucy Show and Mister Roberts.

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