On January 6, 1941 Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a state of the union message to Congress entitled “The Four Freedoms”. A portion of that speech follows:
Therefore, as your President, performing my constitutional duty to “give to the Congress information of the state of the union,” I find it unhappily necessary to report that the future and the safety of our country and of our democracy are overwhelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders. *** Armed defense of democratic existence is now being gallantly waged in four continents. If that defense fails, all the population and all the resources of Europe and Asia, and Africa and Austral-Asia will be dominated by conquerors. And let us remember that the total of those populations in those four continents, the total of those populations and their resources greatly exceed the sum total of the population and the resources of the whole of the Western Hemisphere — yes, many times over. *** In times like these it is immature — and, incidentally, untrue — for anybody to brag that an unprepared America, single-handed and with one hand tied behind its back, can hold off the whole world. *** No realistic American can expect from a dictator’s peace international generosity, or return of true independence, or world disarmament, or freedom of expression, or freedom of religion — or even good business. Such a peace would bring no security for us or for our neighbors. Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. *** As a nation we may take pride in the fact that we are soft-hearted; but we cannot afford to be soft-headed. We must always be wary of those who with sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal preach the “ism” of appeasement. We must especially beware of that small group of selfish men who would clip the wings of the American eagle in order to feather their own nests.
Inspired by this speech Norman Rockwell decided to paint The Four Freedoms series. His motivation, beyond the sheer importance of the work, was a deep love for America, a love that comes through in all of this great painters work. Rockwell was too old to defend his country during WWII so he used his talent as a way to serve. It took six months and 15 pounds from his already slender frame to produce the four paintings above but the result was and remains masterful. Ironically he could find no government agency to sponsor the work which was ultimately published in the Saturday Evening Post (Curtis Publishing). Norman Rockwell’s other paintings of life in America with her ordinary citizens doing everyday things reflect the blessings of this great nation. Blessing we should embrace and hold dear; blessings we must teach and pass on to our children.
As we celebrate this Thanksgiving 2009 let us reflect on the four freedoms, on the first thanksgiving, on the similarities of history that revisit us today, on the fact that men and women are defending our freedoms in dangerous places and situations around the globe, and let us give thanks to the creator and pray for his guidance and continued blessing.
Wishing each of you a Happy Thanksgiving with appreciation for your generous participation here at Post Scripts….Jack, Bruce, OneVike and Tina