random thoughts

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 battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow, this ground—The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. 

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

It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us —that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, 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. -Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

{This speech has been said heard and recreated in part many times through out history. All of the significant events that have changed the path of history for our country can all be described in the words Lincoln said. Such a simple man, 16th president, honest Abe. I think we sometimes forget how lucky we are to live here, on American soil and exercise our freedom everyday.... so today I am taking a moment to celebrate it (you are saying Kelli, you are a month late to celebrate it). I know, but I can't be the only one who is moved by these words every time I read them. I need an all expense paid trip to DC, being a history lover and all.... one day, one day.} 


Freedom, is not free