Anyone who lived through the 80’s must remember the 1981 assassination attempt of Ronald Regan. James Brady was also shot that day. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Brady around 1995 under somewhat odd circumstances, well, I think they’re a bit odd. To refresh your memory of the events in 1981 I’ve grabbed a couple photos from Wikipedia.
Chaos outside the Washington Hilton Hotel after the assassination attempt on President Reagan. James Brady and police officer Thomas Delehanty lie wounded on the ground.
James Scott “Jim” Brady (born August 29, 1940, Centralia, Illinois) was the former Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary under President Ronald Reagan. After nearly being killed and becoming permanently disabled as a result of an assassination attempt on Reagan in 1981, Brady became an ardent supporter of gun control.
At the time I meet Mr. Brady I was working for Intel in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. I had flow to Washington DC for a week long programming class. During the lunch break one day I walked to a local McDonalds with another student in the class. We were sitting eating our Big Macs when my lunch companion pointed across the seating area inside the McDonalds and said “I think that’s…. You know…. That guy….” I turned to look and instantly recognized Mr. Brady. He was there having lunch with two other people whom I didn’t recognize. I explained to my lunch companion who he was, once I mentioned the assignation attempt on Ronald Regan she remembered him as well. We talked a bit and she really wanted to meet him, as did I.
We got up and crossed the dining area, recall we are at a McDonalds. I said “Excuse me., Mr. Brady. I apologize for interrupting your lunch; I just want to say that it’s an honor to meet you.” He smiled and held out his hand, I shook it, my lunch companion shook it and we excused ourselves. He smiled again and said “Thank You”. We walked back to our table and finished our lunch.
And that’s how I met Mr. Brady.
