Former Air Force One flight steward honors Nancy Reagan’s legacy

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — People around the world are remembering the life and the legacy of former first lady Nancy Reagan.

Reagan died yesterday from congestive heart failure at the age of 94.

A WWAY Extraordinary person knew the Reagans very well. Cape Fear Regional Jetport Director Howie Franklin worked for the Air Force One flight crew when Ronald Reagan took office.

“We woke them up and put them to bed,” Franklin said.

He said he did not know what to think about the Reagans at first.

“I didn’t know what we were going to get,” Franklin said.

Franklin said he was waiting to see if they were going to be insincere.

“Eight years, they couldn’t do it,” Franklin said. “They were incredible.”

Franklin said Nancy and Ronald Reagan were the types of bosses that made their staff feel incredible.

“They had an attitude that they were excited about working with us,” Franklin said. “The lady she was very polite and very classy.”

Franklin said the Reagans were sincere about everything they did and he says they were also sincerely in love.

“They were in their 70s and they were flirting with each other,” Franklin said.

He said one time Reagan’s chief of staff walked into his office while Reagan was on the phone.

“He was leaning down with the phone and getting closer and closer to the desk and then finally hung up. Mike said, ‘What was that?’ He said, ‘Oh, that was Nancy. We were trying to say goodbye to each other,'” Franklin said.

Now, as the world says goodbye to the former first lady, Franklin said it is not goodbye for Nancy.

“She’s going to be with Ronnie Reagan and that’s what she’s wanted,” Franklin said.

Reagan had 94 years of life, love, and a sincere legacy.

“She was a good person to look up to in a positive way,” Franklin said.

Franklin will be speaking about all of his work on Air Force One with five presidents at Brunswick Community College on March 10 at 11:00 a.m.