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This essay or speech is concerned with continuing with the "American Dream." The ingredients for the American Dream were conceived 228 years ago by the men and women who became the first Americans by creating a new nation. This new nation was dedicated to the lofty proposition that all people are created equal regardless of race, creed, or economic background. While the priniciples of the proposition were the most idealized ever imagined in the history of humankind, their roots were shallow and un-encompassing in practice.
And it was this dichotomy between principle and practice that led to a great civil war which split the new nation into two opposing camps. The civil war tested the metle of the new land, and determined whether or not it could survive as a unified nation dedicated to its founding ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all of its citizens. The two opposing camps, the North and the South, met headon on bloody battlefields for almost five years of conflict. When the conflict was nearly over, it became apparent that a resting place should be established for all of these soldiers killed in the various battles. This final resting place was established to pay honor and respect to those soldiers who died for their fellow citizens' pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness--in short, the "American Dream." The creation of a national cemetery for these dead heroes was an effort that allowed the nation to have a mourning place and a place where respect could be paid to all of those who paid the ultimate price. But there is a certain irony or paradox to the idea that mere soil, earth , or ground can be consecrated or made "holy" by the use of lofty words, praise, or even prayers. In fact, mere words, sound waves in the air, can never be equal to what flesh and blood expressed in their passing. Indeed, words will be forgotten, sooner than later, in fact. But action remains. And especially the action of flesh, which is far superior and stronger than either steel or words. Action is etched in the memory of a grateful nation which will enjoy the fruits of the sacrifices played out at this resting place for generation after generation and from shining shore to shining shore. Indeed, this resting place should eternally remind us of the unfinished work that we, the living, must continue to do to make the American Dream a dream for all and to thus ensure that these brave souls did not die in vain. Moreover, we should increase our devotion to the principles upon which our Nation was founded and re-dedicate ourselves to making sure that civil unrest never again tears this land apart. If these dead men and women gave us their entire bodies and spirits to continue this American Dream, then we can do no less than to pick up their flag and continue in their stead. In summary, these souls laid to rest here today have not died in vain. They have not died in vain because this nation blessed by God the creator, will see a re-birth of all the principles upon which it was founded. Heavenly principles of freedom. Freedom that comes from the inhabitants. Freedom that is for its citizens. Freedom invented by its citizens. A freedom and dream so powerful, in fact, that it shall never perish from the face of the planet.
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