| I was overwhelmed often by then US President | | | | last best hope in an age where the |
| John F. Kennedy for his charismatic | | | | instruments of war have far outpaced the |
| leadership and his eternal love for peace.As | | | | instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of |
| the 35th President of the United States, he | | | | support to prevent it from becoming merely a |
| served from 1961 until his assassination in | | | | forum for invective to strengthen its shield |
| 1963.Though he was from a politically | | | | of the new and the weak and to enlarge the |
| prominent Irish-American Kennedy family, he | | | | area in which its writ may run.""Finally, to |
| was so down to earth and considered an icon | | | | those nations who would make themselves our |
| of American liberalism.His bravery and | | | | adversary, we offer not a pledge but a |
| heroism well reflected during World War II by | | | | request: that both sides begin anew the quest |
| rescuing a fellow sailor in the South | | | | for peace, before the dark powers of |
| Pacific.He was elected as the US President in | | | | destruction unleashed by science engulf all |
| 1960, in one of the closest elections in | | | | humanity in planned or accidental |
| history after he served in his home state of | | | | self-destruction.""We dare not tempt them |
| Massachusetts as both a member of the House | | | | with weakness. For only when our arms are |
| of Representatives and Senate.His inaugural | | | | sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain |
| address on Friday, January 20, 1961 to the | | | | beyond doubt that they will never be |
| Americans and to the world was a fascinating | | | | employed.""But neither can two great and |
| and heart-touching one.The events, just | | | | powerful groups of nations take comfort from |
| before the inaugural address are rolling into | | | | our present course both sides overburdened by |
| mind.Heavy snow fell the night before the | | | | the cost of modern weapons, both rightly |
| inauguration, but thoughts about canceling | | | | alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly |
| the plans were overruled.The election of 1960 | | | | atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain |
| had been close, and the Democratic Senator | | | | balance of terror that stays the hand of |
| from Massachusetts was eager to gather | | | | mankind's final war.""So let us begin anew |
| support for his agenda.He attended Holy | | | | remembering on both sides that civility is |
| Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown that | | | | not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is |
| morning before joining President Eisenhower | | | | always subject to proof. Let us never |
| to travel to the Capitol.The Congress had | | | | negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear |
| extended the East Front, and the inaugural | | | | to negotiate.""Let both sides explore what |
| platform spanned the new addition.The Chief | | | | problems unite us instead of belaboring those |
| Justice Earl Warren administered the oath of | | | | problems which divide us.""Let both sides, |
| office.President John F. Kennedy addressed | | | | for the first time, formulate serious and |
| the audience where the Vice President | | | | precise proposals for the inspection and |
| Johnson, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, | | | | control of arms and bring the absolute power |
| President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, | | | | to destroy other nations under the absolute |
| President Truman, reverend clergy and others | | | | control of all nations.""Let both sides seek |
| were gathered.His statement in his eloquent | | | | to invoke the wonders of science instead of |
| voice that "we observe today not a victory of | | | | its terrors. Together let us explore the |
| party, but a celebration of freedom, | | | | stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate |
| symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning, | | | | disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage |
| signifying renewal, as well as change. For I | | | | the arts and commerce.""Let both sides unite |
| have sworn before you and Almighty God the | | | | to heed in all corners of the earth the |
| same solemn oath our forebears prescribed | | | | command of Isaiah to 'undo the heavy burdens |
| nearly a century and three quarters ago" was | | | | ... and to let the oppressed go free.""And |
| so heart touching forever.He was continuing, | | | | so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your |
| "We dare not forget today that we are the | | | | country can do for you ask what you can do |
| heirs of that first revolution. Let the word | | | | for your country.""Finally, whether you are |
| go forth from this time and place, to friend | | | | citizens of America or citizens of the world, |
| and foe alike, that the torch has been passed | | | | ask of us the same high standards of strength |
| to a new generation of Americans, born in | | | | and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a |
| this century, tempered by war, disciplined by | | | | good conscience our only sure reward, with |
| a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient | | | | history the final judge of our deeds, let us |
| heritage and unwilling to witness or permit | | | | go forth to lead the land we love, asking His |
| the slow undoing of those human rights to | | | | blessing and His help, but knowing that here |
| which this Nation has always been committed, | | | | on earth God's work must truly be our |
| and to which we are committed today at home | | | | own."The US President who came out with his |
| and around the world.""Let every nation know, | | | | inaugural address not only for his fellow |
| whether it wishes us well or ill, that we | | | | Americans but for the entire world and faced |
| shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet | | | | the major crisis during his presidency, the |
| any hardship, support any friend, oppose any | | | | Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile |
| foe, in order to assure the survival and the | | | | Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the |
| success of liberty.""To those peoples in the | | | | Space Race, early events of the Vietnam War |
| huts and villages across the globe struggling | | | | and the American Civil Rights Movement and |
| to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge | | | | tried his best to resolve those crisis, was |
| our best efforts to help them help | | | | finally assassinated on November 22, 1963 by |
| themselves, for whatever period is required | | | | Lee Harvey Oswald untimely before he put a |
| not because the Communists may be doing it, | | | | lasting end to those crisis.Kennedy's |
| not because we seek their votes, but because | | | | assassination has left in America and around |
| it is right. If a free society cannot help | | | | the world, a traumatic impact for centuries |
| the many who are poor, it cannot save the few | | | | to remember for the world leader who thought |
| who are rich.""To that world assembly of | | | | for peace and harmony globally. |
| sovereign states, the United Nations, our | | | | |