“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
— John F. Kennedy
November 22 marks 54 years since President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Some remember that dark day in Dallas as the beginning of America’s descent into cynicism. Instead, let’s remember Kennedy’s optimistic challenge to embrace the spirit of service.
President Kennedy’s famous inaugural address called Americans to service. This was not limited to military service. Kennedy asked all Americans to join the struggle “against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.” The goal was not only victory in war, but “a more fruitful life for all mankind.” Only by putting the needs of the community first, before ourselves, can we meet this duty.
We remember Kennedy for the ways that he acted out these principles. For example, he created the Peace Corps, giving Americans a new way to serve their nation and their world. This, in turn, gave people like myself, Rep. Richard Creagan and former Rep. Jim Shon the opportunity to serve for two years in the rural areas of North Borneo, the Marshall Islands and South Korea, respectively.
Service begets more service. I bring my experience of service in North Borneo with me every day as I serve my constituents here in Hawaii. The volunteers and military service members of today will become the leaders of tomorrow.
But where is Kennedy’s ethic of service today? Survey after survey shows that volunteering in America is on the decline. Over the past eight years, too many Americans have adopted an attitude of entitlement. Too many care only about what things they can get out of government, and never ask how they can help. This attitude is a rot at the heart of the American character, and if left unchecked, we risk losing our way.
America needs to rekindle the spirit of selfless service that Kennedy called us to have. We need citizens with giving hearts, who yearn to make America and the world a better place. We need people who cheerfully give more than they could ever hope to get in return. We need peacemakers who focus on bringing people together, not tearing divisions apart.
In Kennedy’s era, the draft brought people from all races, religions and regions of the country together to serve their country. Now that the draft is history, Americans must take the initiative to find new ways to get to know each other better and care enough to serve each other. The internet, Facebook and social media are doing a pretty poor job of bringing us together.
We need more common ground to stand on and never allow opportunities for service or charity to pass us by. Kennedy reminded us that this would be “a long twilight struggle, year in and year out.” But he also promised that “the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it.”
Thanksgiving season is a time to remember what we are thankful for. I am thankful that the core of American character is still one of serving others rather than being served. Our nation’s destiny has always been one of giving, helping and building, and we need to rekindle that vision.
A great president died 54 years ago, and is a reminder of who we are and what we could do for our country.
State Rep. Gene Ward, who served as a volunteer in North Borneo as well as the Peace Corps country director in East Timor, represents Hawaii Kai.
