The Gettysburg Address
 

For me, Memorial Day weekend is a time for reflection. A time to think about the men and women who have, throughout the lifetime of this country and beyond, given that last full measure of devotion to the country they loved. I am a poor wordsmith. I have, however, found much resonance with the words that President Abraham Lincoln delivered at the dedication of the cemetery at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Given November 19, 1863
Near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA


Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon 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 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.

Re: The Gettysburg Address
 

A short speech that says so, so much.

Re: The Gettysburg Address
 

:usa:usa

Always love that speech.

Thank you to all our soldiers, past, present and future and their families who have given so much for our freedom.

Re: The Gettysburg Address
 

I feel like I should say, "Amen". Powerful in its simplicity.

Thanks for posting, Mark.

Re: The Gettysburg Address
 

The most famous 2 minute speech of all time, IMO
Yes Thanks for posting it

Re: The Gettysburg Address
 

Thanks for posting

Re: The Gettysburg Address
 

Thanks for sharing that, Mark!

Re: The Gettysburg Address
 

:tu