Former Plainfield resident recalls meeting Reagans on an airplane

Jennifer Smith may have been only 8 when she met Ronald and Nancy Reagan on an airplane, but she remembers it clearly, she said Sunday after the announcement of the former first lady's death.

During Ronald Reagan's race for the presidency in 1980, he and his wife were traveling on commercial airlines.

Smith was flying to California with her brother, Eddie Petka, and her father, Edward Petka, a former Will County state's attorney, state legislator and judge. They lived in Plainfield at the time.

"My dad heard (Reagan) was going to be on the plane, and he was super excited," Smith said.

Petka had his kids write a note to Reagan and gave it to the flight attendant to deliver.

"I know you are tired and hope this letter will make you happy," the note read. "I love you, God bless you, Jennie Petka."

Soon after, the flight attendant asked Smith and her brother, who was 6 at the time, to follow her to first class - Ronald Reagan wanted to meet them.

"He was jovial and ... so wonderful to us," Smith said. "And Nancy was sitting there smiling."

To his disappointment, Edward Petka wasn't invited to meet the Reagans that day. But Smith said it's an experience she'll never forget.