Memorial Day

Hot Springs, AR - May 25, 2009
Gettysburg, PA - Nov 19, 1863

"When are they going to start?"

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.

"How many boats do you think are out here?"

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

"Hey, the moon looks like a slice of cantaloupe!"

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.

"Look, that airplane's flying right into the fireworks!"

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

"Remember when we were kids and Granddad used to take us to that place on the lake for ice cream?"

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

"Get him! Shoot the airplane!"

The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

"What was the name of that place? Remember, we used to jump off the top of it into the water?"

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

"Wow, look at those! Awesome!"

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.

"I think Nathan fell asleep."

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us

"Lara never would jump. She was afraid to mess up her hair."

That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion

"Daddy, snuggle me!"

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.

"Look at all that smoke!"

And that government of the people,

"What time is it?"

By the people,

"Daddy, do I have to take a shower when I get home?"

For the people,

"I was not afraid to mess up my hair."

Shall not perish from the earth.