What Can You Do For Your Country? - Wendys Words
What Can You Do for Your Country? Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country. That iconic sentence was uttered at John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961-almost six decades ago. As I watch the news today of so-called protests, looting, and sickening disregard for fellow man, I can’t help but think that Mr. Kennedy must be turning over in his grave at the sight of today’s America. The USA as we know it is in big trouble, but what are we doing about it? Sharing memes and shaking our heads in disgust about how bad things are today? What is that going to change? We are still a democracy, and we still have the right to call out what we believe is wrong. If our founding fathers were afraid of offending people when the USA was in its infancy-where would we be now? Yet, fears of retribution from the side mainstream media represents are keeping us cowed in the corner. If we really want the USA back to the glory we celebrate every July, we all need to stop being afraid of upsetting someone and start asking the question John F. Kennedy posed all those years ago-what CAN we do for our country?
If working for your country seems daunting, you can start in your community. In my time with the organizations I work with, the problem with finding people to work an event or cause in the community is sadly a common one. I think of it almost as playing hot potato, with committee sheets subtly passed around the tables or people guiltily glancing around a room waiting for someone else to volunteer.
Don’t get me wrong. I know that some can’t get away to help out. But if there is something that you really want to do, the saying “where there’s a will there’s a way” really has truth to it. Even though my sons all fall on the autism spectrum, now that they are older, it is easier for me to take part, and I think it has been good for my sons to see me out there. If you have thought about getting out there and making a contribution, there are eight Gillett based organizations that have taken part in activities that benefit the community:
- Gillett Woman’s Club
- Gillett American Legion Auxiliary
- Gillett Area Historical Society
- Gillett Diamond Club Friends of the Gillett Library
- Gillett Civic Club
- Gillett Sno/ATV Riders
- Gillett Lions Club
- Gillett Business Association
(If I have forgotten your organization in this list, please accept my apologies, and please let me know what your organization does!) If clubs aren’t your thing, perhaps getting involved with your local church, local school, or local food pantry would be more favorable to you. If you do not live in Gillett, type “Clubs and Organizations Near Me” in your browser’s search bar to get you started on finding a place for your talents. There
are options out there! Perhaps in getting involved you can set an example for your own children, grandchildren, or any child in your life. As Theodor Seuss Geisel said in one of his works: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” It may sound cheesy to quote from Dr. Seuss, but the quote is true. We all need to care if we want things to get better. We all need to get out there, and we need to quit passing tasks on to the next person.
What will you do for your country?