Significant ALS signed “RR,” three pages on two sheets 4.75 x 8.25, dated in another hand June 28, 1967. A letter (evidently the original handwritten copy retained for secretarial use) in response to a letter earlier sent to Reagan by Sgt. Ernie A. Siegrist. Siegrist, whose letter is included, had written to Reagan, in part: “I have just had the opportunity to read the 22 May issue of Newsweek magazine and the article on yourself.... I have been in Vietnam for almost one year ... and am somewhat amazed at ... voicing opinions ... from someone who has listened to advisors and not have been physically present in this country. We are suffering so from critical comments now about what we are doing over here can you in all honesty of mind ... believe that nuclear weapons would be the answer?... How can a man who has just begun in political life ... honestly even begin to think of things higher when his feet aren’t even wet?... You are not quieting any rumors that you are actively running for the national Republican ticket during the next campaign.... Can you honestly feel that you will accomplish all to set [California] on the straight course in the matter of a few months.... I want to return to a peaceful home state ... but what with having a neophyte governor thinking of running for higher office tends one to believe that maybe things are becoming muddled and the people of California voted for a TV personality and not a man of sound political thinking.... You are trying your best to make a shambles out of our states [sic] education system, and are playing games with the mental health program.... I hope to return in August, to my family, and to my state. I know my family will have changed in the past year for the better, I hope I can say the same for my state.” Reagan responds, in full [his spellings retained]: “I appreciate your letter and the opportunity to comment or offer my side on some of the points you raised. First may I point out, Newsweek magazine is hardly objective in it’s reporting of my views. Your charge that no one who hasn’t been there should make decisions on the conduct of mil. operations in Viet Nam finds agreement with me. I have taken a public position for some time now that when a nat. asks it’s young men to fight & die then that nat. has an obligation to put it’s full resources behind these men to bring victory as quickly as possible. In that connection it is my view that our mil. leaders not the State Dept. should guide our mil. strategy. I have never suggested using nuclear weapons but have expressed agreement with former Pres. Eisenhower who said ‘The last one to be told we wont use these weapons is the enemy.’ He should always have to plan his strategy fearful that we might use the ultimate weapon. As for the presidency I can only continue to repeat I am not a candidate. Unfortunately a more or less hostile section of the press continues to speculate on me as a potential candidate. They do me no favor nor is one intended. If you were here you would be aware as most Californians are that I inherited a state on the verge of bankruptcy due to the fiscal irresponsibility of my predecessor [Edmund “Pat” Brown, Sr.]. Almost half the requested tax bill is simply to pay off the debt and get us back on a pay as you go basis. We can already point to economies of more than $127 mil. in the 6 mo. we’ve been in office. A few days ago I halted the contract signing that would have led to const. of a 10 story bldg. this summer—because we were able to prove there was no need for it. With regard to both ed. & mental health we have taken no action that is detrimental to either. We have reduced the no. of patients in our hospitals by 13,000 since 1960. At the same time we have incrs’d. employees by more than 1000. No we are freezing the ratio of patients to employees at the present level. At the Uni. the leaders in the campaign of distortion about our policies were in large part the same ones who are lending comfort & aid to the enemy you are fighting. You have challenged that no one should give opinions on Viet Nam who has’nt been there to know the situation 1st hand. May I propose that you do this same thing about our battle here in Calif. Again thanks for giving me the opportunity to comment.” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. Staple holes, otherwise very fine condition. A most extraordinary letter of prime historical interest! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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