WE THE PEOPLE

by Mike Laymon

Several years ago, after the terror attacks of September 11^th, I composed the narrative below, from a collection of great speeches, to celebrate and remember the great heritage of Presidential leadership in America… and to remind us of our purpose and calling, as Americans, in this generation and the next.  

This compilation presents as a multi-voice, single setting, “State of the Union” as such, and spans our nation's historical leadership, resolute, in difficult times. In all that we face today, and assuredly will face in years to come, I believe these ancient words are as relevant and inspiring as they were in the generations in which they were originally spoken.   

As you read through this speech, picture these seven leaders, standing before us, together as one, diverse and yet unified, delivering a message to pierce our heart and ignite our patriotism. Examine it all the way through.  And then, consider the responsibility we have been entrusted with, as Americans, to steward the legacy of freedom.

I have entitled this piece… “We The People”.  The video clip is a live presentation of the narrative written below...

“WE THE PEOPLE”

FOUR SCORE 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.

Abraham Lincoln (16^th U.S. President)

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS to be sacred and undeniable;

that all men are created equal and independent,

that from that equal creation they derive rights

inherent and inalienable,

among which are

the preservation of life,

and liberty,

and the pursuit of happiness.

Thomas Jefferson (3^rd U.S. President)

CITIZENS, BY BIRTH OR CHOICE, of a common country,

that country has a right to concentrate your affections.

The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity,

must always exalt the just pride of patriotism.

George Washington (1^st U.S. President)

OURS WAS THE FIRST REVOLUTION in the history of mankind

that truly reversed the course of government,

and with three little words:

‘We the people.'

Almost all the world's constitutions  are documents

in which governments tell the people what their privileges are.

Our Constitution is a document in which

'We the people'

tell the government what it is allowed to do.

'We the people' are free.

Ronald Reagan (40^th U.S. President)

IN YOUR HANDS, MY FELLOW CITIZENS, more than mine,

will rest the final success or failure of our course.

Since this country was founded,

each generation of Americans has been summoned

to give testimony to its national loyalty.

The graves of young Americans

who answered the call to service

surround the globe.

John F. Kennedy (35^th U.S. President)

NOW WE ARE ENGAGED IN A GREAT CIVIL WAR

testing whether that nation,

or any nation

so conceived  and so dedicated,

can long endure.

We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

Abraham Lincoln (16^th U.S. President)

THE CORE OF OUR DEFENSE

is the faith we have

in the institutions we defend.

We must be the great arsenal of democracy.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (32^nd U.S. President)

THE ENERGY, THE FAITH, THE DEVOTION

which we bring to this endeavor

will light our country

and all who serve it

and the glow from that fire

can truly light the world.

John F. Kennedy (35^th U.S. President)

WE ARE A NATION THAT HAS A GOVERNMENT

not the other way around.

And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth.

Ronald Reagan (40^th U.S. President)

I ASK YOU TO UPHOLD THE VALUES OF AMERICA,

and remember why so many have come here.

We are in a fight for our principles,

and our first responsibility is to live by them.

George W. Bush (43^rd U.S. President)

THE BOISTEROUS SEA OF LIBERTY IS NEVER WITHOUT A WAVE.

We do then most solemnly, before God and the world declare …

to preserve that liberty which He committed to us in sacred deposit

and to protect from every hostile hand

our lives and our properties

Thomas Jefferson (3^rd U.S. President)

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT THEIR GOVERNMENT TO ACT, and not merely to talk,

whenever and wherever there is a threat to world peace.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (32^nd U.S. President)

THE COURSE OF THIS CONFLICT IS NOT KNOWN,

yet its outcome is certain.

Freedom and fear,

justice and cruelty,

have always been at war,

and we know that God is not neutral between them.

I know there are struggles ahead,

and dangers to face.

But this country will define our times,

not be defined by them.

As long as the United States of America is determined and strong,

this will not be an age of terror;

this will be an age of liberty,

here and across the world.
George W. Bush (43^rd U.S. President)

WE HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR DEFEATISM.

We have every good reason for hope

hope for peace, yes,

and hope for the defense of our civilization

and for the building of a better civilization in the future.

Let me assert my firm belief

that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (32^nd U.S. President)

AND SO, MY FELLOW AMERICANS:

ask not what your country can do for you

ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world:

ask not what America will do for you,

but what together we can do

for the freedom of man.

John F. Kennedy (35^th U.S. President)

…WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE that these dead shall not have died in vain,

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.

Abraham Lincoln (16^th U.S. President)

IN ALL THAT LIES BEFORE US,

may God grant us wisdom,

and may He watch over

the United States of America.

George W. Bush (43^rd U.S. President)

The Colors of Freedom

by Mike Laymon

Over the past several years I have had the privilege of producing and directing a series of Patriotic events for various venues and organizations.  I have considered it a great honor to celebrate the treasure of America, tell the story of freedom, and inspire hearts and minds towards a new and higher level of national pride and purpose.

Within each of these presentations, I had opportunity to pen a variety of narratives, placing into words patriotic themes and historical events.  These remarks would serve as the thread that would weave together an overall message for each audience.  

Once again, as tensions arise across our nation over a variety of issues, the national conversation has returned our flag and it's song to the forefront.  I recently took time to reflect on one of these narratives that I had written a few years back.  I wanted to share these thoughts about our flag with each of you.

As we contemplate her story, may we consider the depth of her colors and the diversity of her glory.  And, as we listen to her song, may we be inspired to reach for her standard in our collective pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. Understanding that, in many ways, we still have very far to go, may we also recognize from where we have come, and strive, with high regard, towards the ideals set forth through the legacy of this national symbol. While the world watches the course of our debate, we should stand united and together, embody our freedoms, demonstrate mutual respect, and express our loyalty to what is true, and right, and just. While the flag may not represent all that we currently are, it most certainly encompasses all that we should endeavor to be.  

I have entitled this piece… “The Colors of Freedom”.  The video clip is a live presentation of the narrative written below...

“THE COLORS OF FREEDOM”

Oh the beautiful red

With its passion and romance

Tells a story of love

And memories of blood shed

Through all her toil, all her pain

Every drop, every tear

In every sacrifice you will hear

The beating of her heart

The purest of white

Holds it all together

A beacon of light

And hope for a nation

She reminds me

Of all that is good

All that is just

All that is right

And all that is true

And now I consider my own vanity

In the shadow of all that she stands for

When I gaze on the blue

I see faith through its night

With eyes set on the heavenly

And a prayer that endures

In God we should trust

Our fathers have shown us this before

Their lives have paved the very road we tread on

And now a promise is to be kept

This demands our loyalty

Our perseverance

Our conviction

Our everything

The red, the white, and the blue

A wonderful portrait of freedom

In this land that we love

May we never forget

The tremendous gift we have been given

And may we treasure the beautiful design

Of this land we call ... America