A Thanksgiving Prayer

Several years following President John F. Kennedy’s death, a poet named Kathryn Kay received a phone call from a congressional lobbyist who told her that her poem "Thanksgiving Prayer" was the inspiration for the President’s most famous quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." He told her that President Kennedy was moved by a poem he had heard on a radio show on Thanksgiving in 1940 which "stuck with him." At the time, Kennedy was 23 years old, just starting his career, and a recent Harvard graduate.

The Lobbyist told Miss Kay that it was her poem which inspired the president because it was heard across the country on Thanksgiving, and the meaning behind the words were quite similar to Kennedy’s expression--specifically, the poem’s ending in a prayer, "God, help me make America as proud that I am hers—as I am proud, and grateful she is mine!"

While the story is considered a legend and not part of the history books, I thought that I’d share with you the Thanksgiving Prayer by Kathryn Kay as it was read in 1940, allegedly inspiring President Kennedy.

Thanksgiving Prayer

God, ev'ry year about this time,

according to routine,

I've bowed my head in the accepted way

and offered thanks, like some well synchronized machine

that prayed because it was the time to pray.

But, God, this year is different, this year I seem to feel

America's Thanksgiving is my own,

that in my nation's gratitude I have a part that's real,

a part that until now I've never known.

And, God, this year a deep humility has filled my heart,

a newborn pride rings true thruout my soul

because I do belong, because I have and am a part,

a tiny part of one tremendous whole.

I think I know the feeling of those first Americans

who said, "We must give thanks for this, our land."

I cherish now the rights that are each woman's, ev'ry man's,

the rights I've just begun to understand.

This year my heart has learned what all Thanksgiving Days are for,

true thankfulness at last I realize,

but, God, I'm sorry that it took the tragedy of war

in other lands to open up my eyes.

Again I bow my head but this time deep within me stirs

a mighty prayer, part of one vast design,

"God, help me make America as proud that I am hers—

as I am proud, and grateful she is mine!"

.

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

.

Ralph E. Jordan

President & CEO

Trident Health Resources, Inc.

The Wars are Finally Over.

Much has been said about the OBama Victory. As impressive as it was, especially for those jubilant voters under the age of 39 ( young professionals, students, minorities, and less hard core ideologues than one would imagine ), who usually are apathetic and not too interested or impressed with what has become a very divided and partisan society. It's as if our country was comprised of two tribes jockeying for position... one blue, one red.

When stepping back and trying to be as pragmatic as one can be with the cold realization that my team did not triumph, I try to imagine what if... but nothing comes up... trying to sound brave doesn't get it when one has a heavy heart... and no excuses for rightful failure. Da gum those words... those sentiments... that indomitable spirit... that righteous wind... that soaring rhetoric... it does mesmerize. The fellow was standing there almost messianic all by himself with thousands and thousands of delirious disciples enraptured, as if they were experiencing the aura of a beatific vision. And I was spellbound as well... even if only for a moment...

The old guard civil rights activists with tears streaming down their faces... a popular and universally respected icon wearing purple (reminiscent of the title of her debut film).. students literally jumping for joy both in Grant Park and Lafayette Park across from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue... It almost causes one to doubt the old ways of tribal warfare.

What will happen after his ascension to the presidency will soon be determined. But this historic night would be lost if we did not pause and take in the importance of what actually happened. This country actually elected a man of color ... to be president. Just think about it.


Like my 5 year old granddaughter says when something she thinks is cool ..." it's awesome, Papa."

We know this is a good Country. We know this is a Country where everyone around the world wants to come for its freedoms and opportunities. The Country has sacrificed its young in so many ways in the name of freedom... freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom of religion... But who would have thought this would actually happen less than 60 years from the tumultuous times prior to the passing of the Civil Rights Act?

This is truly a good Country in spite of all its blemishes. But there's more. In my discernment over the loss of my team, I reconciled myself to the fact that my vote was even more significant. It was a vote that ended all those wars we have been fighting in my lifetime. The war of hate, the war of prejudice, the wars of inequality, the Civil War or, as some of my long ago college classmates would say...The War of Northern Aggression..., the Vietnam War ...Johnson's war...the politicians' war..., the war between the classes--all obliterated with one single vote...

My vote was to honor my fallen comrades from the Vietnam era. My vote was a vote for them. This new generation doesn't know... doesn't remember... what we went through and what we sacrificed. They didn't bathe in the warmth of a genuinely good man who brought many of us together in the person of Ronald Reagan. That was MY team.

And the ones that followed really blew it. And subsequently, out of the ashes of their greed and corruption sprang this energetic Phoenix. And in his triumphant ascendency, he has shattered every myth and every war that has personally plagued us for such a long time.

He is now the president-elect..."our" president. And I wish him well and will support him any way possible; I will disagree with him when I think he is on the wrong track. But instead of judging harshly or criticizing bitterly I will nudge compassionately and hope to God my team can get it together for the next go-around.

The Wars are finally over and that is a good thing. Now, there are no more excuses for bad behavior...

Ralph E. Jordan

Morning of November 5th 2008

Who Should Be President? Military Poll Results

Military Times recently compiled results of a Military Personnel Election Poll, which I found quite interesting. Here are the Results, but do click on the link for the extensive charts and details if you'd like more information.

Ralph E. Jordan
CEO & President