Lessons from Leaders
Theodore Roosevelt
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and
assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to
discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the
person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American ... There can be no divided allegiance
here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for
but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ...
and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
"The great body of our citizens shoot less as times goes on. We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys,
and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services by every means in our power. Thus, and not
otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world... The first step – in the direction of
preparation to avert war if possible, and to be fit for war if it should come – is to teach men to shoot!"
John F. Kennedy
"In my own native state of Massachusetts, the battle for American freedom was begun by the thousands of farmers and tradesmen
who made up the Minute Men -- citizens who were ready to defend their liberty at a moment's notice. Today we need a nation
of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as
a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of
liberty, the cause of America, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
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