Election day, November 4, 2008. My last day in Maine, having been there 10 days visiting with family and taking in the New England autumn. My great niece and nephew Gabby and Jackson (children of my niece Melissa and her husband Brian) were dressed in red, white and blue in recognition of election day. Jackson decided he needed something on his head and after rummaging through a chest of hats and scarves came out with this scarf revealing himself to be a true Mainer. As I looked at these bright and hopeful faces through the viewfinder of the camera it struck me at that moment that it would be good idea for all of us to look into the faces of young children before we head off to the polls to vote.
And it would also be a good idea to look into the mirror and ask ourselves how we can be part of the solution to the challenging issues our country faces, no matter how small or insignicant our role may seem.
On another historic day, the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, January 1961. ....Let's consider this admonition for our present day.
"In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe. Now the trumpet summons us again, not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need, not as a call to battle, though in battle we are, but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself...... And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country...."
See it on video here:
On another historic day, the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, January 1961. ....Let's consider this admonition for our present day.
"In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe. Now the trumpet summons us again, not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need, not as a call to battle, though in battle we are, but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself...... And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country...."
See it on video here:
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