Forefathers of the Future
It means a great deal to be asked to speak to citizens who care as much about our history, our Constitution and citizenship as I do.
Sadly, most of our friends and neighbors know less about our history with each passing day, and I commend each one of you for your membership in the DAR.
How many colleagues at the office or neighbors next door do you think even realize that today marks the 216th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution in 1787? Do you think they know this is also the anniversary of the bloodiest day in United States military history? 23,100 soldiers were killed on this date in 1862 in the Battle of Antietam.
As members of the DAR and SAR, we seek to inspire reverence in the community for the principles of government founded by our forefathers. That is our purpose.
Why is that important? It is not just because, in the hackneyed words of Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” It is important because you are the “forefathers of the future.”
Democracy is about more than looking back. It is about looking forward and doing today those tasks which keep us strong; perpetuating in our daily lives the principles of freedom which have made us the greatest nation on earth. Today, we can inspire reverence for the principles of government founded by our forefathers by what we do right now; by leaving an indelible impression upon those all around us and the next generation by the example we set.
When the Lauderdale Chapter of the DAR meets here in Ripley 100 years from now, what principles will the community look back upon for inspiration? What examples will we have set?
Today is also Citizenship Day. In his inaugural address, President Bush said, “The most important tasks of Democracy are done by everyone.”
In contemporary America, it is more important than ever that we lead by example. This means that we must demonstrate daily the discharge of the responsibilities inherent in democracy and, in so doing, impress upon those among us the simple daily deeds of democracy which keep this Nation great.
On that dreary day in January of 2001, nine months before the terrorist attacks, our President said:
“America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected.
Our public interest depends on private character, on civic duty and family bonds and basic fairness, on uncounted, unhonored acts of decency which give direction to our freedom.
Sometimes in life we are called to do great things. But as a saint of our times has said, every day we are called to do small things with great love. The most important tasks of a democracy are done by everyone.
What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.”
When Franklin Roosevelt addressed your the DAR back in April 1938, he poignantly observed, “We look for a younger generation that is going to be more American than we are.”
Isn’t that what it’s really all about?
My father followed Roosevelt into war. He was a B-24 pilot. He died when I was eight years of age, but I learned a great deal from him including the importance of love for country and service to mankind. I often felt a sense of inadequacy when, thanks to the success of men like my father, and the men and women who fought in subsequent wars, there was no great conflict, no patriotic fervor, no call to arms that could qualify my interest in serving this country. I remember trying to explain why I first ran for public office back in 1994 when I was elected to the county commission. I felt I had an obligation to make good on my father’s commitment to this country. Dad flew 25 missions over Europe to defend the democratic rights I exercise each day. He flew 67 missions for Great Britain before that. He wasn’t shot down and missing in action twice for me to be the beneficiary of this democracy without bearing some of the burdens of it. I wear his dog tags as I speak to you today. I cannot imagine doing what he did to save this country. My Dad couldn’t imagine doing otherwise.
Today, some folks can’t imagine doing what I do—fighting for tort reform, for the right to exercise our Second Amendment freedoms, or the right to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public school. I want to be every bit as American as my Dad. And I hope our sons, in turn, will do the same.
In conclusion, let me say that, in this room, I see the forefathers of America’s future—I see teachers, administrators, elected officials, judges and volunteers—all part of the living, breathing fabric of our freedom. Make every day “Citizenship Day,” and keep America safe for democracy.
