On November 19, 1863, in the midst of a civil war, Republican President Abraham Lincoln delivered an address at the dedication of a military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where one of the bloodiest battles of the war had taken place just four months earlier.

That address has stood the test of time — 162 years — for a reason. In fewer than 275 words, Lincoln summed up what this nation stood for, and why it was worth defending.

For those who were not required — as my generation was — to learn the address in its entirety in elementary school, allow me to quote just a portion of it here, on this anniversary day:

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

. . .

. . . that this. nation, under God, 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.”

“ . . . conceived in Liberty . . . all men are created equal . . . government of the people, by the people, for the people . . .”

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the meaning of those words. Now seems as good a time as any.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/19/25