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Heston Era at NRA Ends with Applause NewsMax.com"Thank you for everything, not only now but for all the years," Charlton Heston said in his brief final appearance as president of the National Rifle Association Saturday. "It has been a wonderful run. I'm going to miss you," he added. The only other remark the ailing Oscar winner made was a final reprise of his famous "From my cold, dead hands," which he proclaimed while raising high an 1866 Winchester rifle. This provoked a standing ovation from the gathering of over 4,000 NRA members at the organization's annual meeting. Heston, 78, who headed the NRA for five years, was diagnosed last year with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Heston shuffled onto the stage and reportedly appeared frail.
"Alzheimer's is a ravaging disease ... and Mr. Heston is suffering from those effects," said Marion Hammer, who was NRA president before Heston. "There are times, as is to be expected, when he isn't as sharp as he would like to be."
Heston is officially scheduled to step down from the presidency on Monday, however, Kayne Robinson, former chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, took over the presidential duties on Saturday, presenting Florida Gov. Jeb Bush with a flintlock rifle during a banquet. Floria governor Jeb Bush was the meeting's keynote speaker, and he praised Heston, saying, "Were it not for your active involvement, it's safe to say my brother may not have been president of the United States." Heston became NRA president in 1998, and during his tenure, the organization raised its membership to 4 million members.
Before his final departure, Heston's wife, Lydia, addressed the members, saying, "Chuck has had a really gratifying experience. I want to thank you for what you've done for him, to give him this marvelous challenge, this great cause to work for. It has kept him alive."
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