Reagan celebrated by Nancy, Beach Boys on 100th

[February 07, 2011]  SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) -- Actors, musicians, former advisers and friends are taking the stage in California to pay tribute to Ronald Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan placed a wreath on the grave of her late husband Sunday. She briefly greeted the crowd of about 1,200 guests on the east lawn of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

She makes frequent appearances at the library but rarely speaks.

Former cabinet secretary and close Reagan friend James Baker III and actor Gary Sinise spoke to the crowd.

Lee Greenwood and the Beach Boys performed on the sunny California morning in Simi Valley 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Reagan was 93 when he died on June 5, 2004, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

[Associated Press]

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