The Gettysburg Address

Hmm...weird one for me to write about given I am not an American, never studied in America and only been to America once; when I was 12 - on a holiday (I went to Disneyland!!!). But as a film student, I watched a series of films called "The Civil War" by Ken Burns. In one of the episodes, it touched on the Battle of Gettysburg which many historians considered to be the turning point in the American Civil War.

What sparked my interest was the speech that Abraham Lincoln gave during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg months after the battle. I felt a connection to that speech even though the events that it is directly linked to have nothing to do with my life. I think a sign of greatness is how a person can find inspiration from an event from ages past. And from the teacher that is history learn a lesson that will benefit their present. If I had to put a word to it, I guess it could be call "applicability".

Back to the main topic, as I said, the words of the speech really struck home for me. Parts of the speech echoed strongly some of the problems that we face around the world now. Today as I was just reading it again and I thought I'll just put a portion of it here for everyone to read. Especially for those who have never read it or heard of it before. Enjoy...

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain..."

I think this portion of the speech is fitting given recently in Australia, where I am currently based, just celebrated ANZACs Day. I guess this part of the speech can be used to honour all the veterans who have sacrificed so much.