Last night (January 12, 2011) President Barack Obama delivered a eulogy at a memorial service for the victims of the Tucson shooting rampage. The event was held at the University of Arizona's McKale Memorial Center and was attended by an estimated crowd of 14,000.
President from time to time have played the role of consoler-in-chief, often in times of war for the victims of fallen soldiers, or in other times of crisis and catastrophe, such as after the 911 attacks in New York.
In his eulogy, President Obama talked about how families react in response to the loss of a parent or a spouse. He said "in the fleeting time we have on this earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better." The President seemed most affected when speaking about Christina Taylor Green, the 9-year-old girl who was one of the victims of the shooting. He challenged his audience to "do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations" and appeared moved when he imagined that "if there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today."
For those who did not have the opportunity to watch the speech on television, I've embedded a YouTube video of it below. For those who did, I'm curious to read your reaction to it.
President from time to time have played the role of consoler-in-chief, often in times of war for the victims of fallen soldiers, or in other times of crisis and catastrophe, such as after the 911 attacks in New York.
In his eulogy, President Obama talked about how families react in response to the loss of a parent or a spouse. He said "in the fleeting time we have on this earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better." The President seemed most affected when speaking about Christina Taylor Green, the 9-year-old girl who was one of the victims of the shooting. He challenged his audience to "do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations" and appeared moved when he imagined that "if there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today."
For those who did not have the opportunity to watch the speech on television, I've embedded a YouTube video of it below. For those who did, I'm curious to read your reaction to it.
- Current Location:Upstairs on the loveseat with Abby
- Current Mood:
calm - Current Music:Eric Clapton-"Tears in Heaven"
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potus_geeks- Presidential History Geeks
Comments
My husband and I are like that older couple who came to talk to their representatives and he saved her by laying on top of her. I think of her and I don't think I would ever get over it. She is a very strong woman. I think about the little girl. My own grand daughter (the oldest of 3) turned 9 yesterday and is in third grade just like Christina. I cannot imagine losing her and when Obama talked about the book she was in and jumping in rain puddles, I lost it, totally.
I have watched all of the memorials when the president spoke, all the way back to 1963 and Johnson, my mother had me sitting with her and explained what was happening. Each had their own way and this one was just as beautiful.