No matter their political affiliation or grasp of Reaganomics, people along the Grand Strand and across South Carolina were affected by the death of former President Ronald Reagan.

As word spread, the memories began to materialize, the keepsakes found renewed importance and the tears flowed - among Republicans and Democrats, alike.

"He taught millions of Americans, including myself, a new definition of inspiration, and his passion for the ideals of limited government, and his commitment to the advancement of freedom around the world have shaped and will continue to shape generations of present and future leaders," Gov. Mark Sanford said.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca, said Reagan "achieved great power and unbelievable political success without losing the human decency that we all remember and admire."

U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, R-Charleston, said his calling to public service "was in no small part a result of President Reagan's example."

Although the views on Reagan's politics differed, few were willing to criticize Ronald Reagan the man.

"He was always a wonderful gentleman," said Myrtle Beach resident John Jenrette, a former member of the U.S. Congress and a Democrat. "I was not for many of his policies as president; but, as a person in a room, he was as fine as anyone. ... He really brought back a sense of American pride."

While many reminisced about their past experiences in the Reagan phenomenon - their first meeting, the inauguration and his role in their lives - politicians spoke about "it." They described Reagan's indefinable, unnameable ability to take over a room just by stepping into it.

State Sen. Arthur Ravenel Jr., R-Mount Pleasant, who served in U.S. Congress from 1986 to 1994, fondly remembers the way Reagan turned Capitol Hill into the place to be.

"He was always so inspirational to us Republicans," he said. "He gave us all a boost - an emotional shot in the arm, so to speak. When he would address the joint session of congress, it was just a treat to be around the place."

Others have made Reagan part of their professional lives.

Coastal Carolina University professor Paul Peterson said the former president had as much effect on his future than any other politician.

Peterson's respect for Reaganomics even inspired him to create a summer course in 1996 that was devoted strictly to Reagan's political career.

"Ronald is one of the two political giants of the 20th century - he and [Franklin D. Roosevelt]," Peterson said. "It's the passing of one of the giants of American history."

While Peterson and many others chose to mask their mourning with positive memories, some could just not deal with the news. One of those people is Myrtle Beach resident Al Tirrell, who once acted as chairman of the Horry County Republican Party.

He met Reagan for the first time in 1979 at a Florence airport.

Tirrell says he can usually envision the sights and events of that day like no other.

But Saturday was different. Tirrell says he will never forget the day that Reagan passed on.

"I have a tear in my eye, because I just saw this on television," Tirrell said. "In my opinion, he is the greatest Republican president we've ever had. That's obviously debatable with [Abraham] Lincoln, but that's my thought."