Today we stand united in the American dream

  • Tuesday, January 20, 2009 5:55pm

A dream was realized on Tuesday, Jan. 20, not just for one man sworn in as president of the United States, not just for a reverend who proclaimed, “Let freedom ring, let freedom ring.”

A dream was realized for every American, regardless of race, religion or political bend, who joined in celebrating the inauguration of our first black commander in chief, U.S. President Barack Obama.

While we quarreled in 2008 about our political values — Republican against Democrat — this moment in history allowed us to rise above our petty differences and recognize something beautiful.

“We remain a young nation, but in the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things,” Obama said in his inaugural address. “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

Despite our differences, we are all Americans and we share a common goal. Faced with overwhelming challenges, we will struggle in the coming years to emerge from an economic crisis, to reunite our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan with their families at home and to rebuild confidence around the world in our American dream.

“Our challenges may be new. … But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true,” Obama said. “This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”

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