President-elect Obama honored Martin Luther King on this National Day of Service with riveting words published in the Washington Times, as well as at volunteer events throughout the day. Showing the kids at the Sasha Bruce House, (a teen homeless center), that he walks the walk, Obama picked up a paintbrush and helped to spruce up the men’s dorm room, saying "I think [Sasha Bruce House] is an example... These young people have a huge potential... Given the crisis we’re in and the hardships so many people are going through, we can’t allow any idle hands. Everybody’s going to have to be involved. Everybody’s going to have to pitch in."
This modern idea, spoken in easy terms that kids can relate to, echo the remarks of Thomas Jefferson after his particularly contentious Presidential contest. In calling us all to "Renew America Together", he also reminds us that this is not the first time a President has had to ask America to put our political differences behind us in order to move forward.
"But Jefferson announced that while we may differ in opinion, we all share the same principles. ‘Let us, then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind,’ he said, urging those assembled to ‘begin anew the work of building a nation.’"
Wouldn’t Jefferson be amazed to see the means we have at our disposal to build our nation and the transformation that his vision of inalienable rights has sparked in the world. Obama built on that idea as well, telling those at the Sasha Bruce House that he will use the same organizing tools to help us rebuild our country as he did to win the election.
"The Internet is an amazing tool for us to be able to organize people together. We saw that in our campaign. But we don’t just want to use if for winning elections; we want to use it for rebuilding America."
Earlier in the day, President-elect Obama visited injured veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, following yesterday’s laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Mrs. Obama then joined the President-elect for lunch at Calvin Coolidge High School were students were writing letters to the troops and organizing other volunteer activities.
He will end the day honoring the Vice-President Elect, former Secretary of State Powell, and Senator John McCain; while Mrs Obama and Mrs Biden will take their families to the Kids’ Inaugural Ball.
Crosspost: http://www.obama-mamas.com/...