President Obama speaks to us on Independence Day
It’s just a good kind of new day when the President of the US maintains an online presence to keep us informed. From Twitter to Facebook to his own official website, I’m happy to see him reaching out to anyone and everyone who’s interested, making him accessible (or at least appear as such, to be fair). Even if it isn’t really him, it’s officially okayed by him. Regardless, he is keeping up with all forms of communication to include all generations, young and old. With this strong online presence, he appeals to a younger generation whose votes can and should determine the future. And Obama’s the first [president] to acknowledge and welcome that.
Click here for his official letter to us, and see below for his email to us:
Friend –
This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let’s also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.
Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.
Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty — a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.
Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation’s course. America’s greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom — and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.
As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph — that pride — belongs to all of us.
So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm’s way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.
With very best wishes,
President Barack Obama
July 4th, 2009
P.S. — Our nation’s birthday is also an ideal time to consider serving in your local community. You can find many great ideas for service opportunities near you at http://www.serve.gov.
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After reading that, of course I looked into a way to volunteer. I haven’t volunteered my time on a regular basis for the betterment of anything in an organized way… for years. Let’s see if the hoped-for effect happens, shall we?
P.S. Here are photos that further support the portrait of Obama as one not unlike most of us who grew up in the US (photo credits to RollingStone), complete with swinging a bat:
