JFK

Jan. 20, 1961... 50 years ago from this very John F. Kennedy gave his Inaugural Address. I sometimes dream of living in that era. Ok I always dream of living in the 60's. I would be one of the millions marching to civil rights and I prolli would have done anything JFK asked. I would be the girl in the school befriending the new students, I would be curious of the life outside of the box, I prolli would have tested my parents and drove them nuts askig WHY WHY followed by WHY NOT thou?? And there would be a great chance I would be in D.C. joining groups to support JFK and MLK. Above all I would have enlisted and joined the Peace Corps (A dream I still have is joing the Peace Corps.) I think of the words that he spoke that day and how powerful they & how much meaning they hold. His dream for American is coming true. His vision is on our reality. But what a cost, it took for it to happen. How many lives taken, how many bullets shot, how much blood spilt, how many hours of sweat, how many mistake-failures- and falls. We have reached great heights but have stumbled. We have gained so much because some have lost so much. So we say thank you to them. For wanting a better life not for themselves but for the people of America.

"We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom - symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change."

"The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life."

"To those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request; that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self - destruction."

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage - and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed todat at home and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

"Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us."

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonder of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce."

"Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah - to 'undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free'."

"All this will not be finished in the first 100 days, nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet... BUT LET US BEGIN."

"In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failiure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimpny 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 embattled we are - but a call to bear the burden of a long twlight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation' - a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, diease and war itself."

"And so my fellow Americans; ask not what you country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

"Ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure rewards, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work myst truly be our own."

Sometimes we need to be remind of his words and the dream he had for America. We spraked the AMERICAN DREAM. and many freedoms we have today wouldn't be if we didn't have Kennedy in office. I often wonder of things never done or changed once he was taken. I hope that thou he was taken from us that we stayed the course. And today I am reminded of the things that I can do in my own life to answer that very call he asked all Amercians 50 years ago today. What can we do to better not just own lives but the lives of our neighbors and nation. What can you do!?!?! Start today.