President John F. Kennedy gave many inspirational speeches, and one of the most memorable was his 1961 inaugural address in which he summoned the American people, through their good deeds and actions, “to light our country and all who serve it.” “The glow from that fire can truly light the world.” Kennedy, our 35th president, was a beacon for light and hope, for freedom and dignity, and an inspiration for all of us. He launched a generation committed to public service. Let us not allow the flame to be extinguished. Throughout his shortened presidency, Kennedy inspired us to be a better people and to work together to address the most important issues of our time and beyond. As he said in his inaugural address, “Because it is right.” Kennedy guided us morally and spiritually and modeled for us how to interact with one another with civility and respect. His gifts for oratory and statesmanship contributed to his ability to influence and inspire Americans and the people of the wider world. Kennedy understood history and the proper role and responsibility of the president. He displayed honor and respect for the position and received both in return. Trust, integrity and collaboration are attributes that come to mind when I think of President Kennedy, who was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963. Sixty-two years later, we are experiencing a time in America in which collaboration, trust, honor, integrity and a compassionate and unifying world view are being supplanted by self-interest, misinformation, intimidation, division and a willingness to violate bedrock covenants like the Constitution and the rule of law. Our very form of democratic government is at risk. Basic freedoms and the well-being and dignity of many are at risk. The flame that President Kennedy lit, which has been a meaningful and unifying guide for our country and the world for more than six decades, is flickering unsteadily. It is time for Americans to unite and stand up for the values Kennedy so clearly and passionately articulated. Let us be reminded of Kennedy’s lessons on values and leadership. Let us stoke and protect the flame he lit so it is once again strong and unwavering in support of America’s long-standing values and place in the world. In his inaugural address, delivered from the steps of the U. S. Capitol on a cold and windy Friday morning, Kennedy called Americans and the people of the world to action for the betterment of humankind. Perhaps the most memorable line was this: “Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country.” Yet his speech included many other noteworthy lines, including calls to unity that still ring true. “United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures,” he said. “Divided there is little we can do for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.” He also said, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us” and “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” Americans, let us take in Kennedy’s guidance and have the strength and wisdom to not be coerced by offers of personal gain, intimidation or deception from following the path forward to a more just, healthy, safe and free society for our people and the wider world. Again, drawing from his inaugural address, it is critical that we heed and follow, particularly at this time in our history, this sage advice for guiding our conduct: “Let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.” Americans, let us stand together to build on Kennedy’s guidance so that the fire he lit for the freedom and well-being of humanity glows more brightly than ever before. David Woltering is a community planning consultant. He lives in Santa Rosa.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/11/23/close-to-home-stoke-the-flame-kennedy-set-aglow/
Close to Home: Stoke the flame Kennedy set aglow
