Nixon Library to Honor Former President’s 100th Birthday

A celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of former President Richard Nixon will be held Sunday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda.

Nixon’s oldest daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, will join U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Dixon Smith and Rep. Ed Royce, R-Brea, in the laying of a White House wreath from President Barack Obama.

Bruce Herschensohn, who was a White House special assistant during the Nixon administration, will deliver the keynote address, discussing Nixon’s foreign policy achievements and their impact on the world, according to Jonathan Movroydis, the director of communications of the Richard Nixon Foundation, a nonprofit organization that bills itself as dedicated to education and illuminating Nixon’s life and legacy.

Royce and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Melvin G. Spiese will also speak.

There will be AV-8B Harrier fighter jet flyover, supported by Marine Aircraft Group 13, musical presentations by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, a military presentation of the colors and a formal 21-gun military salute supported by the 1st Marine Division.

The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. Admission to the program and the library is free. The library will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The celebration comes three days before the actual anniversary of Nixon’s birth. It is being held on a Sunday to allow more people to attend, Movroydis told City News Service.

The event begins a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of Nixon’s birth, which will also include a special exhibit at the library, “RN: Patriot. President. Peacemaker.” set to open Feb. 15.

-City News Service