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St. Louisans Pay Respects to President Reagan

St. Louis County police officers stand at attention Friday during a memorial service for former President Ronald Reagan.
(KWMU staff)
St. Louis County police officers stand at attention Friday during a memorial service for former President Ronald Reagan.

By Kevin Lavery, KWMU

St. Louis – St. Louisans said their final farewell to former president Ronald Reagan Friday during two ceremonies in the region.

In Clayton, community leaders remembered Reagan as a man of commitment who had a vision of peace in the world.

Afterwards, Missouri state senator John Loudon, a Ballwin Republican, credited Reagan as being instrumental to the downfall of Soviet communism.

"Reagan put the dagger in the heart of that failed system because of his passion for recognizing the God-given dignity of the people that were suffering under it," Loudon said. "He did it because he cared about people."

Loudon said he proposes naming the planned bridge connecting downtown St. Louis and the Metro East in President Reagan's honor.

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