SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) – President Reagan was remembered on what would have been his 95th birthday Monday for his efforts to end the Cold War and restore national pride after a period of malaise.

President Bush sent a wreath in honor of the late president, who died June 5, 2004, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

“This was a man who literally saved the world,” said Marine Col. John Coleman, the Camp Pendleton base commander.

He then joined retired Gen. P.X. Kelley, former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in placing the red-and-white carnation wreath on the grave at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Kelley, who credited the nation’s 40th chief executive with restoring pride in the nation and the military, recalled Reagan telling him early in his first term how he wanted to return salutes to members of the military.

Kelley told Reagan he could do whatever he wanted as commander in chief.

“From then on he never missed returning a salute,” Kelley told about 500 people gathered outside the wind-swept hilltop library.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan did not attend.

“It’s a rough day for her emotionally. His birthday was always his favorite day,” Reagan chief of staff Joanne Drake said.

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