Political Quotes

“We all know that next Thursday, a week from tomorrow, is our Nation's most important anniversary--July 4, 1776, the birthday of the country. But Tuesday, July 2, is also one of our most important anniversaries because July 1, 2, and 3 are the days the Battle of Gettysburg occurred. That was probably the defining event in the history of this country. It is especially important this year because it is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. What I would like to do is share a few moments about one particular aspect of that battle. It does indeed involve Maine and Alabama. It involves a man from Maine named Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who in 1862 was a professor of modern languages at Bowdoin College in Maine. He was not a soldier, had no history in the military, but decided that he had a vision of America and he wanted to serve his country. He joined a volunteer regiment organized in Maine in August of 1862 called the 20th Maine regiment. They came down the east coast, up the Potomac to Washington, and were immediately deployed to Antietam in September of 1862--the bloodiest day in American history. Fortunately for the 20th Maine, they were held in reserve that day. They did see action over the course of the fall and early winter at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Then, along with 2 great armies, they headed north into the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. President, you are going to have to bear with my cartographic skills.…”