A day to remember
On Monday, May 27th, we take a day to remember all those who have and who continue to serve our country.
The following is a reprint of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This speech was delivered Thursday, November 19, 1863, during the Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA. History tells us that in barely two minutes, our sixteenth President offered 272 words of comfort and inspiration to an audience of 15,000 people. Our experience tells us that he was addressing all of us – using words that will stand the test of all time.
“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that our nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
“But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
When you see a veteran, thank them for their service.
Remember also to thank in some way those who are not here because of their service.Enjoy your Memorial Day.