Dixon, Illinois

Dixon, Illinois is about 100 miles west of Chicago. It is a sleepy little town with a population of 16,000 people. It is famous for being the hometown of America’s favorite 40th. President, Ronald Reagan, who grew up here. There is a beautifully restored boyhood home of his and next to it a cute museum. The museum is very informative and a glimpse into the past. From the photos and movie clips, it does seem that in those days, people were very respectable of their president, compared to the present. Everybody needs to visit this museum, just to get a contrasting view of then and now, just in terms of respect and etiquette. Ronald Reagan was an amazing personality. He worked as a life saver in Dixon, and in his autobiography he says his greatest achievement in life, was the 77 lives he had saved. When he went to Los Angeles with some group, he was made to take an audition for a movie role, as a joke. After 8 months, he was called to cast for a role in a film. The rest is history. There is a nice tall statue erected next to his home.

Each June, WWll is recreated in Dixon, Illinois at Elks Page Park. The enactment starts with a B-52 bomber flying overhead. The scene is in Southern France in the summer of 1944, where the American troops who had landed in Normandy and slowly progressing inland to liberate France from the Occupying Germans. The advancing American troops are ambushed by the entrenched Germans, and in the pitch battle that follows, the Americans have to retreat.

There are exhibits and stalls set up where visitors can browse and buy all kinds of paraphernalia  from that period. One can buy uniforms, badges, books, equipment, troop flags and emblems. Yes, you can even buy Swastika flag. It was really amazing to know that every bit of clothing, equipment is individually owned and operated. The German tank was operated by it’s owner.

Overall it was a great presentation of our past to honor “the greatest generation”. The battles were very convincing and seemed realistic. I would take ear plugs next time. The gunfire could be very loud.

There is also the Abraham Lincoln angle also. There is a very nice bronze statue of Lincoln facing the river. In 1832, a young Abraham Lincoln marched up the Rock River valley as the leader of the Sangamon County volunteers. His troops fought in the Blackhawk Indian Wars at Fort Dixon. It was what chief Blackhawk said at the close of the war in 1852, that made an impression on me – “The Rock River was a beautiful country. I loved it and fought for it. It is now yours. Keep it as we did”.

Chief Blackhawk would not want to see what we have done to it.