Ronald W. Reagan, the 40th President of the United States of America, was honored for his steadfast commitment to develop and deploy missile defenses to protect the nation, its forces, its allies, and its friends. In a statement dated 23 March 1983, he urged saving lives rather than avenging them and called for applying peaceful intentions, ability, and ingenuity to achieving truly lasting stability. This first combined test and operational missile defense site was presented on behalf of a grateful nation on 10 April 2006.