Have
I told you how important it is to honor others’ sacrifices? A
woman named Maya Lin designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to
remember those who gave their lives in the war, and
the Civil Rights Memorial to
thank the many who fought for equality. Public
spaces should be filled with art, she thought, so
that we can walk amidst it, recalling
the past and inspired to fix the future.
Have
I told you that you are kind? A
woman named Jane Addams fed the poor and
helped them find jobs. She
opened doors and gave people hope. She
taught adults and invited children to
play and laugh and let their spirits grow wide.
Have
I told you that you don’t give up? When
violence erupted in our nation a
man named Martin Luther King Jr. taught
us unyielding compassion. He gave us a dream that
all races and creeds would walk hand in hand. He
marched and he prayed and, one at a time, opened
hearts and saw the birth of his dream in us.
Have
I told you that you are an explorer? A
man named Neil Armstrong was the first to walk on the moon. He
watched the world from way up high and
we watched his lunar landing leaps, which
made us brave enough to
take our own big, bold strides.
Have
I told you that you are inspiring? A
man named Cesar Chavez showed farmworkers their own power when they felt they
had none. The
people were poor but worked hard and loved the land. Cesar
picketed, prayed, and talked. The
people listened to their hearts and marched for the rights. “¡Sí se puede!” Cesar said. “Yes, you
can!”
Have
I told you that you are part of a family? A
man named Abraham Lincoln knew that
all of America should work together. He
kept our nation one and
promised freedom to enslaved sisters and brothers. This
man of the people, simple and plain, ask
more of our country—that we behave as kin.
Have
I told you to be proud to be American? Our
first president, George Washington, believed
in liberty and justice for all. His
barefoot soldiers crossed wintry rivers, forging ever on. He
helped make an idea into a new country, strong and true, a
country of principles, a country of citizens.
Have
I told you that America is made up of people of every kind? People
of all races, religions, and beliefs. People
from the coastlines and the mountains. People
who have made bright lights shine by
sharing their unique gifts and
giving us the courage to lift one another up, to
keep up the fight, to
work and build upon all that is good in
our nation.
Have
I told you that they are all a part of you? Have
I told you that you are one of them, and
that you are the future?
And
have I told you that I love you? |
