True American Pride - Real Things to Celebrate About This Nation (#13)

 #24: JUNE 24: AMERICAN MUSIC

“Musicians want to be the loud voice for so many quiet hearts.” — Billy Joel

"The King" - Elvis Presley

Here's my 24th entry for True American Pride month. It's amazing how there are so many major genres of music that people listen today that have sprung out of the American culture - and so many of these genres intertwine and influence each other over the years in beautiful and unpredictable ways. Jazz, the blues, country, rock and roll, swing...and on and on.

B.B. King and his guitar "Lucille"

Country Royalty - Dolly Parton & Willie Nelson

These classic American genres still draw listeners today. And those listeners are not all just "boomers"! The melodies, lyrics, messages, and creativity are timeless for many.

"The King of Pop" - Michael Jackson

"Old Blue Eyes" - Frank Sinatra

So here's to celebrating these great American artists! (I know. One them here isn't American. But this old soul loves the music and genre he is so talented in!)

The Canadian Crooner - Michael Buble'

"The High Priest of Bebop" - Thelonius Monk

#25: JUNE 25: AMERICA'S GREATEST PRESIDENT - ABRAHAM LINCOLN

"We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." (Abraham Lincoln, 1st Inaugural Address, March 1861)

My 25th "True American Pride" post honors arguably America's greatest President, Abraham Lincoln. It is difficult in a short post to clearly state the importance of Lincoln to this country's history, its survival as a republic, and his impact still today on our values and culture. Though he was initially elected by a minority of the popular vote in 1860 (but just enough electoral votes), he managed to lead this country through a civil war; he preserved the union and led with a blend of courage, humility, decisiveness, and forward-looking wisdom that is missing in our current leaders.

The words he spoke at various times during his presidency are eloquent and timeless (such as the above passage which is a favorite of mine). He also was a man equally filled with more pithy wisdom as well...such as...

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

“Whatever you are, be a good one.”

“Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”

I have never had the opportunity to visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. I hope I'll have that chance some day. It is, I'm sure, a sacred place. A place where one can stop and reflect...and remember what is right, true, and good about this country. And silently rededicate oneself to upholding and practicing that. God Bless America.