It's amazing to think that almost a century and a half ago, Abraham Lincoln rose up to speak to the people at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, more than four months after the great and terrible battle fought there, and give what would become one of the greatest speeches of all time; a moving tribute to the courage and sacrifice given by our troops, North and South.
He was there to give a speech at what was to be the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery, and was to follow the keynote speaker, Edward Everett. A former Congressman, Governor, President at Harvard University, U.S. Senator, Vice Presidential nominee and well-known orator, Mr. Everett spoke for two hours to the crowd (nowadays, it's equally amazing to think anybody could have so much to say, it would take two hours to say it!). Then came President Lincoln's turn, and what followed in just two minutes had more of an effect on the 15,000 people said to be there (including six sitting Governors) than any orator's speech ever could:
The reaction from the crowd, it is said, was complete silence, as they were deeply moved by the words their President had spoken. How could you not be, I ask you?
And now, 147 years later, we still remember those same words; may we ever continue to remember those words, and may we ever continue to remember with honor the courage and sacrifice of our American troops, from the American Revolution to today in Afghanistan and Iraq.
(A special thanks to the people of Skyline Productions for the making of a wonderful video)
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