Larry Reed, who guided the Mackinac Center for decades and became president emeritus in 2008, remains a beloved leader.
He paid a visit to Midland in July to speak with Mackinac staff and supporters. Larry discussed his new book, “Born of Ideas: How Principles, Faith, and Courage Forged America.” Through vivid essays on famous founders and overlooked champions of liberty, Larry traces the principles of freedom, responsibility, faith and character that shaped the nation in the past and to this day.
Awards, books, and institutional achievements tell only part of Larry’s story. His greatest legacy may be found in the countless people he has encouraged, mentored, and inspired over the years.
Our colleague Chris Smith recounts a story that reveals why so many people admire Larry, not just as a leader but as a person.
My interest in liberty, free enterprise and being a man of character (this one’s a work in progress) originated at the same time.
It all began with Larry Reed, who had just given my family the honor of a personal phone call.
Apparently, while he was walking to his mailbox, Larry had accidentally been shot in the head with a BB gun by my oldest brother.
It was not exactly the phone call any parent wants to receive, and so as punishment and recourse my brother was instructed to take across the road to “Mr. Reed” a carton of eggs and give his personal apology.
Rather than scold my brother, Larry instead took the opportunity to have a conversation — one that resulted in Larry offering my brother a job, which he eagerly accepted.
Before long, my brother was mowing Larry’s lawn, raking leaves and shoveling the driveway.
When my oldest brother outgrew the work and moved on, those responsibilities passed on to my next brother, and eventually I was asked to help walk my neighbor’s dogs. He was going to be out of town for a few days and could use the help. I had no idea at the time that he was traveling the world and spent time with Polish dissidents who resisted the Soviet regime.
Larry introduced me to the dogs and showed me how to feed them and where to walk them. I always remember feeling that I was treated with unearned respect (fitting for a man who wrote a book on character).
In that moment, I knew that I could sense a man of character, though I couldn’t explain why. In retrospect, I realize he was not just paying me or my siblings a few bucks to do chores. He was inspiring us to be better people and join him in the fight for liberty. He would give us a book here or there and invite us to lectures. He continued to teach us, sometimes indirectly, how to appreciate freedom and keep pursuing knowledge.
My siblings and I can all point to Larry’s influence on our lives. My sister later was an intern with the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation. My older brother became an economics professor and sits on the Mackinac Center’s Board of Scholars.
As for me, I had never stopped to consider what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness meant until I met Larry. But after that, I decided I believed what he believed: America’s ideals matter. They’re worth fighting for, though I use the term a bit more metaphorically than Larry would; I’ve never risked my life in ways he has. And now I am honored to do my part at the Mackinac Center, serving as the database manager.
Sometimes, as I wander into the kitchen at work to read and reread articles about my former neighbor’s endeavors or see the picture of Larry receiving the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, I can’t help but smile.
To think that my interest in free enterprise began when Larry Reed was shot in the head on his way to the mailbox.
