Secret Service Tape During Reagan Shooting Released

March 30, 1981...I remember the day.  I was in 8th Grade Gym Class at Centralia Junior High School, the hometown of James Brady, Reagan's Press Secretary. 

When the Principal announced over the intercom that President Reagan had been shot at, everyone froze in place as what little detail was given.  I was very dismayed and anxious to get home to turn into ABC News as Frank Reynolds and the news staff covered the story.  I watched for what must have been hours.  I remember Frank Reynolds getting angry when some misinformation was released.  It gave me an appreciation of how chaotic these events can be.  What a terrible day that was. 

Ronald Reagan's comments and actions during this period and the weeks following are inspiring to me to this day.  I enjoyed President George H. Bush telling of Reagan on his hands and knees cleaning up a spill at the hospital because he was afraid his nurse would get in trouble. 

Some report that the public did not know exactly how much danger Reagan was in, but we knew he was in serious danger just based on the lack of information coming out of George Washington University Hospital.  Jerry Parr, the Secret Service agent who shoved Reagan into the limousine, most likely saved Ronald Reagan's life by rushing him to GWU Hospital. 

The bravery of those men such as Tim McCarthy and others who shielded Reagan is admirable.  One of Reagan's speeches reflecting on these events including the servicemen's bravery can be found here.  Included is a story that Reagan told of when he was governor of California and assigned Secret Service protection.  He was target practicing with a Secret Serviceman, and Reagan pointed out that the agent did not crouch when shooting the target.  The response--"We do not crouch."  When Reagan followed-up on the response further, the point was sobering--"Governor, if we’re ever shooting at anyone, we’re between him and his target."  Those brave ones did not crouch on that fateful day when duty called!  I am sure Reagan never forgot it.

The Secret Service tape from that day has just been released to the public.  The transcript and audio recording can be accessed here --http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110311/ap_on_re_us/us_reagan_shooting_audiotape

Del Quinten Wilber, reporter for Washington Post, is preparing to release his book Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan.