J.P. Hammock portrays Abraham Lincoln during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A child colors in a print of George Washington during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
J.P. Hammock portrays Abraham Lincoln while giving a history lesson during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Peter Small greets guests while portraying Theodore Roosevelt during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Edward Headington portrays Ulysses S. Grant during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Youngters pose for a photo with members of the Historical Unit of Southern California during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Presidential bingo was one of several patriotic activities enjoyed during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
David Michaels portrays Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Youngsters discuss their Lincoln Log structures during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
The Los Angeles Police Concert Band performs patriotic songs during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
J.P. Hammock talks to visitors while portraying Abraham Lincoln during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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J.P. Hammock portrays Abraham Lincoln during the Annual Presidents’ Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Feb. 17, 2025. Visitors enjoyed live music, presidential lookalikes, crafts and carnival games during the free event Monday.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
The annual Presidents’ Day celebration at the Reagan Library on Monday, Feb. 17 featured interactive activities, crafts, live performances and appearances by presidential and first lady look-alikes thanks to actors and volunteers who specialize in historical reenactments.
The crowd enjoyed musical performances by Justin Honsinger, who has been singing country music since he was a boy, and the official Los Angeles Police Department Concert Band which is called “LA’s Own” because it performs for communities in the City of Los Angeles.
As the organizers of the event noted, “If you wanted to rub elbows with a United States president, this was the place to go.” Dwight D. Eisenhower was portrayed by David Michaels, Theodore Roosevelt was portrayed by Peter Small, Ulysses S. Grant was portrayed by Edward Headington, Mary Todd Lincoln was portrayed by Gay Storm, and Abraham Lincoln was portrayed by J.P. Wammack.
Thanks to the Historical Unit of Southern California, which promotes an appreciation for the Armed Forces in the 20th century, the crowd saw a reenactment of the moment in 1945 when six U.S. Marines raised the American flag on Iwo Jima island, a moment captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. It was considered one of the most recognizable images from World War II.
