General Pettygree says, "Happy July 4th Birthday"

 

"Happy birthday, General MacArthur, to you and your countrymen."

Thank you, General Pettygree. You know, I am suddenly reminded about The Gettysburg Address memorized as a schoolboy. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed these words on November 19, 1863."

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 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 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.

"Stirring, impactful and urgent words, Mac."

"Yes, every American must memorize and speak them slowly from time to time so the meaning and illumination become more apparent, real and purposeful for our future."

"There are other good words too," said Mac. "Listen to a song by Kate Smith being played at the station as our boys board the train."

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home

God bless America, my home sweet home

CLOSING REMARKS

1. The Gettysburg Address has been important for the American Dream since 1863.

2. Readers, play Kate Smith's God Bless America for its full and amazing impact!

3. Thank God my mother's ancestors left Europe in the 17th Century seeking the promise and hope for freedom, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness in the New World. (Boston Bay Colony).

4. Thank God my father's parents left eastern Europe in 1912 and 1914 to pursue the same opportunities and to escape cruel social revolutions. Both landed at Ellis Island, New York City. 

5. America is a blessed and very special place. I am grateful. Thank you, God.

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