Ronald Reagan diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, an incurable neurological disorder which destroys brain cells and ultimately causes death. In November of that year, he informed the nation of the diagnosis through a handwritten letter, writing in part: After his diagnosis, letters of support from well-wishers poured into his California home. But there was also speculation over how long Reagan had demonstrated symptoms of mental degeneration. Not long after the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, at a reception for mayors, Reagan greeted his Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Samuel Pierce in 1981 by saying "How are you, Mr Mayor? How are things
USS Ronald Reagan the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. In November destroyers assigned to "Ronald Reagan" conducted exercises with the Indian Navy after which the Indian Navy ships and a Japan Self-Defense Force destroyer conducted exercises with "Ronald Reagan". Later in November the vessel conducted drills with two other US aircraft carriers, and . It was the first time in a decade that three US carrier strike groups had operated together in Asia. They were also joined by the Japanese helicopter destroyer "Ise" and the guided missile destroyers "Inazuma" and "Makinami". After working with the Japanese warships the carrier groups conducted drills with seven