President Reagan's Final Visit to His Boyhood Home

Online, February 5, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Max Elliot Anderson is an author of action-adventures and mysteries for young readers, especially boys. In addition, he is an accomplished video producer. His work has taken him across the country and around the world.

"One of my assignments," Anderson said, "was for our video production crew to shadow President Ronald Reagan on what turned out to be the last visit to his boyhood home in Dixon, Illinois, in 1990." http://ronaldreaganhome.com

Mr. Anderson has posted an account of the visit along with pictures from that day. http://booksandboys.blogspot.com

"We were given total access; never more than inches away from Mr. Reagan for the entire time. I found him to be warm, witty, and kind to everyone he met along the way."

Eventually the film crew set up for a private interview of President Reagan inside the home of his youth.

"It was a unique experience," Anderson said. "There were several news helicopters, from every major news outlet, hovering in the air. Even more news crews stood behind the security ropes outside. But we had the only interview with him that day. It lasted for one hour. After I'd finished with my questions, Mr. Reagan took us on a tour of the house. He told a lot of jokes and funny family stories. Some of his comments were more serious concerning the strength of his mother as well as his father's battle with alcohol."

"It was interesting when he lifted a loosened tile from the fire place and said, 'I used to hid my pennies in here.'"

"There have been reports about the President's state of mind," Anderson continued, "but I found him to be sharp, engaging, and able to clearly remember his past and relate to current events. My day with the former president is something I will always treasure, especially as we observe his 100th birthday."