The 29^th Annual Reagan Day Dinner, held Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Montpelier Center for the Arts and Education was a resounding success.

The Event Committee, Chaired by Hanover GOP VP of Fundraising Chuck Reece and Co-Chaired by Hanover GOP South Anna District Mag Chair, Andrea Casey and Committee Member Page Reece, greeted Members of the Hanover County Republican Committee, Elected Officials, Sponsors, and guests all coming together in the Spirit of Ronald Reagan, to energize and unify Hanover County Republicans in advance of the upcoming Presidential election campaign.

Master of Ceremonies, John Reid of WRVA offered light political commentary and serious humor while keeping the program moving along. Between Cocktails at 5:00 and the final bid on the live Auction at 8:50 pm the program included speakers, appetizers and drinks, a buffet dinner, silent auction, and raffles for the Spirit Wagon and Byrna Non-Lethal Home Self Defense Weapon. Tables, lined with donated items for auction ran the length of all three halls around the main Dining Room. The room was abuzz with friendly conversation and music as attendees mingled and placed bids on silent auction items.

John Reid opened the program with Mechanicsville Supervisor, Ryan Hudson who led all in singing the National Anthem, after which in rapid succession: Beaverdam Supervisor, Jeff Stoneman led the Pledge of Allegiance; Chickahominy Supervisor, Danielle Floyd the Pledge to the Virginia Flag; South Anna Supervisor and Chair, Sue Dibble reminded us that “together, we are Team Hanover”, and Delegate Scott Wyatt recited the Republican Creed. Delegate Wyatt took a moment to challenge all to “find the low propensity voters” and get them to the polls. Finally, 1^st Congressional District State Central Representative, David Botkins provided an inspirational Invocation, in which he reminded attendees of the gifts God bestowed on Hanover County and that all should strive to “live in a spirit of gratitude, grace, dignity, and humility.”

After dinner, Andrea Casey introduced Republican National Committeewoman for Virginia, Patti Lyman, whose remarks were both inspirational and practical. Citing the “miraculous” turnout to elect Governor Youngkin, Committeewoman Lyman exhorted the party to get out the message that our policies “work for everyone” and to come together in keeping “the main thing, the main thing” — to ensure the 45^th President of the United States becomes the 47^th President of the United States.
 
Hanover GOP Committee Chair, Jack Dyer then took to the stage to thank the Executive Committee and the Event Committee, as well as Donors and Sponsors for their support. He noted that if Ronald Reagan were here today, he might rephrase his one generation quote to “Freedom is never more than an election away from extinction.”  Chairman Dyer went on to explain the efforts of the Taskforce, named Stand for Hanover, in its mission to reach and activate the conservative base in Hanover, asked for wide support of the group.

Video of the evening’s Keynote speaker, David A. Brat, Former Congressman from Virginia’s 7th District are posted in parts to the Hanover GOP YouTube channel  and are well worth a view! The talk centered on “book reports” of four titles that chronical the missteps leading to the United States’ current path, and how important it is to take back our institutions and hold every elected official to account.

Those books, in order of discussion: George M. Marsden, The Soul of the American University; Allan Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind; R.R. Reno, Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West; and Michael J. Glennon, National Security and Double Government.

In a fast moving and near-contentious grand finale for the 29^th Annual Reagan Day Dinner, Henry District’s Supervisor, Sean Davis called the Live Auction, and John Reid pulled the winning tickets for the Spirit Wagon raffle and the Byrna, wrapping up the event in a spirit of fun and optimism.