Saturday, May 23, 2009

Remember

Four score 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 battle-field 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 nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate... we can not consecrate... we can not 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.

~Abraham Lincloln
Gettysburg, 1863

Remember Memorial Day

4 comments:

Sara@iSass said...

Great post C!
We had a bon fire last night and had Rob's 'rents over and Dad was telling us that he just got Grandpa's Bronze Star in the mail.
Apparently, Melvin earned one by serving on the front line of the army in early WWII. He was a cook for the troops, but on the front line no less, and for a moral booster all front lines men got a bronze star. HOW freakin' cool is that? I love hearing stories like that. LOVE it. I'm hoping it will continue to get past from first son to first son...because that would make it Rob's then Nicky's and I just think that is so neat to have that to pass down.
Anyhoo, loved you post. Big plans this weekend?
We had/have a super long weekend, Rob got off early on Thurs and is off through Tues. DARN it I wish we had some money for a trip to "sconie"! :)

Ron Simpson said...

I had to memorize this when I was in school .. reading and recalling it somewhat, just now, still moved my heart .. thank you for reminding me of these powerful words of an humble man ..

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Such an amazing quote that you posted in honor of Memorial Day, my friend. It makes me remember why you are one of my oldest and most treasured friends in the blogosphere.

-Francesca

Robin Lambright said...

We should all be reminded of these great words from time to time (all the time really)Great post.

Found your blog on Patrice's blog roll.

Just doing a bit of blog hopping this morning!

Blessings
Robin