Sample Speeches

Speechwriter & Business Writer
 Warren H. (Sandy) Anderson
Executive Speech & Business Writing

 

    So that you might be able to see my style and some examples of my writing, I am enclosing on editorial and four speeches as sample.  Recognizing that Speechwriter should be neither seen nor heard, nor noticed at all, I only used those writing for which I have permission of the client I wrote for to publish it as my work.

 

 

(Editorial) Into that Dark Night -- with Dignity 

Sandy Anderson         

 

The vet and I lifted the 100-pound, drug-relaxed body onto the table.  Jeanie and I buried our faces for the last time into the taffy-colored fur that we had stroked and preened so many times over the nine years of his life, since carrying his fidgeting, four-pound puppy body into our home and into our hearts.  From the corner of my eye I saw our compassionate vet push the plunger of the syringe forward in a great act of kindness that would spare Duff and us weeks of suffering and pain from the cancer that riddled his body.  We could not spare his life. We could not stop the incessantly invading cancer that made him lame. We could not cheat his death, but we could and we did send him into that dark night without pain, without fear and enveloped in loving arms.

 This moment was inevitable, from the time two months ago when Doctor Tom Hemstreet told us that the lameness came, not from arthritis, but from bone cancer.  As our vet, he had not only been professional but also warm and understanding in helping us deal with the sickening reality and advising us on our options for Duff B  of which there were precious few.  Twenty minutes before he pressed the plunger, he had even come out to our car, himself, to help us lift our fat ol' furry guy from the back seat.  He had done everything he could to help us bear the unbearable, and helped us do the kind and loving thing for our golden boy who had brought so much unconditional love to our lives with joyous, jumping greetings, burrowing buffalo hugs, barrages of woofs to ward off some real or imagined villain who threatened our home.  As we brought Duffy the gift of a painless, dignified death, I thought to myself, If I cannot go into that dark night, suddenly, instantly, painlessly, not knowing, not fearing at some octogenarian age while delivering my last overhead into my opponents court, I would like to go like Duffy, without pain, without indignity and in the arms of those who love me.

As I pass into my mid sixties, still healthy, still writing speeches and books for clients, still playing tennis every day, still teaching speech to wonderful young people at UNCC, I love life and certainly don't want to die. But I know that -- despite my current well being -- my own demise becomes an ever-approaching certainty that I must prepare for, as my chronological age climbs further into the average life span of our society.  But for Duffy, for me and for all of us, death is a part of our life, and -- like all aspects of life -- it can be done well or it can be done badly.  Under the existing customs and laws, if we don't make clear and put into writing, rational, value-focused decisions concerning the end of our lives, we will inevitably force bad decisions upon -- not only ourselves, but our loved ones as well.

I'm an old soldier, trained from youth to consider my death and the death of others as a part of combat decisions, which I did in the paddies of Vietnam.  Now, as a member of the Hemlock Society, I want for me, what Jeanie, Doctor Hemstreet and I  provided for ol' Duff -- a death with dignity.  I've made my living will; I've accounted for my assets, shared the family's financial management with my wife and through my living will -- I have relieved her and my children of the responsibility for pulling the plug if it should come to that. And I believe that our society, too, must undertake the unpleasantries of dealing with the end of life, in both law and custom.

As an aging society, we have to deal more and more with the realities of those whose minds leave their body years before their spirits, or whose failing bodies trap their minds and spirits in a living Hell.  We have to come to grips with the incredible capabilities we have acquired to keep a body alive, long after the value of life has left it.  As individuals, as families and as a society, we have to think of the unthinkable, to plan for the inevitable in every person's life and to provide a body of both law and custom that respects the aged, protects the young and provides the best outcome for everyone.  Although I may disapprove of his excesses, I do respect Doctor Kevorkian, for challenging the head-in-the-sand, choice-limiting status quo. He has forced us to begin to deal with a reality of life that -- as a society -- we refuse to address.

Just as Duffy's time came two days ago, it is our time to tell our national, state and local leaders, our doctors, our clergy to get about the business of providing reasoned responses to the realities of death and dying, just the way we did for Duffy.

 

Post Script:  I wrote this ten years ago. And now that I'm ten  years older and numerically edging past my average life expectancy, I have not changed my mind one twit. I'm still playing tennis every day and I hope -- whenever it comes -- to have a final moment that we were able to give old Duffy.

Warren H. (Sandy) Anderson is a freelance speech and business writer in Charlotte. E-mail him at sandyand1@aol.com

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The Lessons of the Ring

 

 

Thank you Chancellor for that most generous introduction.

 I recognize that taking a quarter-hour of time of over a hundred talented and busy young people and their devoted parents and friends in such an epic event of passage is an obligation of no small significance.

 To be entirely honest -- in preparing for this moment and this responsibility -- I came to the realization that I could find virtually, no new and unique words or ideas of inspiration that I might conjure up for this moment.

 Besides, I'm just a simple bone-and-joint guy;

 I can set your broken bones, take away your bunions, or even give you a new hip, but I don't mess around with the stuff between the ears -- the stuff where ideas are formed and accepted.

 That's another specialty.

 So, I looked for some of the best thoughts for life from a common ground source with which most of you are familiar -- the core ideas of the Lord of the Rings -- both a book and movie which most of you have read or seen.

 But -- if the Lord of the Rings is not at all familiar to you -- then I have two questions:

 C    Where have you been?

 C    And, what have you been doing?

 Like many novels, the central story line of the Lord of the Rings is simple.

 A young Hobbit boy -- in Middle earth -- named Frodo -- with no magic powers -- with no guile -- with no wish to rule is chosen to destroy the all-powerful ring that gives its owner unlimited power over any force.

 He is chosen for the task because he can be trusted not to use the ring to make himself all powerful.

 His charge . . .  his epic quest . . . is this:

 C    First, to protect the ring from evil creatures.

 C    Second, to carry the ring safely though peril after peril to the evil land of Mordor;

 C    And, there to throw it into the Volcano of Fire -- which is the only place the evil ring of total power
     and its threat to Middle Earth can be destroyed.

 To me, the truly great lessons of the Lord of the Rings are often lost -- especially in the movie -- with  . . .

 C    Its incredible special effects,

 C    Its eye-popping wizardry,

 C    Its constant clash of swords and ceaseless attacks on the fellowship by one army of ugly beasts
     after another who want to steal the ring.

 Clearly, the Lord of the Rings is action-packed from beginning to end.

 But there are several powerful messages that keep getting lost in the wizardry that are as applicable to those of modern-earth today as they were to Tolkien's time of 'Middle Earth.'

 So -- instead of delving into my own experience -- I want to spend the remainder of my time with you, today, cutting to the chase and sharing what I believe to be the critical 'Lessons of the Lord of the Ring.'

 Lesson one is about the nature of power:

 C    The Ring, which was forged by an evil prince of darkness and intended to make him Lord of all, signified evil in the metaphor for the fact that -- in the hands of most people -- absolute power corrupts absolutely.

 C    Conversely, power -- even unlimited power -- with its intrinsic ability to achieve any and all self-serving goals at the expense of others -- is safe only in the hands of the most decent and scrupulous people.

 To put the lesson of power another way:

 C    Bad people cannot be trusted with power;

 C    And, we can be safe only when great power is in the hands of good people.

 C    The lessons for all of us, here in (City) in (Country) and all over the world, are these . . .

 -    First, that we should be careful to limit government only to those functions we cannot do for ourselves;

 -    And, second, that we have to find better ways to bring honorable and capable people into government.

 That is to say -- to put power in the hands of those who deserve power, who can handle it and with whom we can trust it.

 They need to recall Edmond Burke's admonition that 'Evil triumphs when good people do nothing!'

 In the Lord of the Rings, the trustworthy, decent and guileless character is Frodo.

 When fate stepped up to Frodo and made him the ring bearer -- which also made him a target for evil forces -- he took up the challenge and carried the ring.

 And, I am hopeful that, here in (City) and all over the world, more really good and selfless people will answer the call to public duty -- perhaps, some of the graduates here today.

 The second lesson -- on which I would like to spend a little more time -- is Tolkien's theme of "making a difference."

Some of you will recall when, in the movie, Galadriel, a powerful Elven Queen --  played by Cate Blanchett in a long, shimmering, iridescent white dress and looking a little 'other worldly' -- provides wise advice to Frodo.

She says to Frodo: "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

Let me say that again: 'Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.'

In the Lord of the Rings -- and especially in the movie -- we constantly see the heroic, big-screen bravery of large, powerful men who are recklessly brave, quick with the sword and fast with the arrow and ready to take on any foe.

But -- even in the face of these Herculean feats -- it is Frodo -- the ordinary young man -- who is called upon by the people of Middle Earth to save it from the ring and from those who would abuse it.

Now, you have to admit that saving Middle Earth is an incredible mission.

But, it seems to me that most of us -- the ordinary people in real life -- are seldom called upon to execute epic acts, to achieve earth-shaking goals that affect millions of people . . . or thousands of people . . .  or even hundreds.

We are ordinary people faced with ordinary challenges that most people face -- but how we respond even to these ordinary challenges can impact others.

And, during our lives there are many ways in which we can -- in fact -- change the future -- perhaps not for worlds or nations -- but for the everyday people who touch our lives.

The point is that heroism, courage and exemplary dedication do not need an epic cause to change the future for others.

 Sure, real and fictional heros are impressive and imposing, but we see unsung heros every day.

 C    We bump into them in the halls;

 C    We pass them on the street;

 C    We sit next to them at a restaurant;

 C    And, never know their names or even sense that they are there.

 I'm talking about . . .

 C    Heroes who are single parents working and nurturing through 18-hour days, earning a living and caring for a child.

 C    Heroes who  -- despite a serious disability -- make a living and care for their families -- overlooking their own pain and suffering.

 In my medical practice, I see these heroes every day:   people who do their jobs and care for their families while they live with awesome handicaps and great pain.

As a surgeon, I can tell you that the scalpel and suture can only do so much and -- after that -- it is up to the patient to have the courage to do the hard work of rehabilitation to restore the body.

Right here, we see many heroic public leaders threading a perilous way for (City) to continue its democratic and free-market institutions under the reality of ever-pressing constraints of the Goliath to our west.

 It appears as though it is the role of (City) to continually be at the crossroads of ideologies and in the eye of the storm.

 Clearly we -- in (City) -- are in the eye of the storm: 

 '     Where the winds of the East meet the winds of the West;

 '     Where the free market meets the controlled market;

 '     Where massive changes taking place in both the East and the West meet each other in the market place of goods and ideas.

 We -- in (City) -- are kind of like Frodo -- we are trusted by both the East and the West to act as the trusted merchant and communicator for both.

 And -- because of (City) 's critical geographic and political position, great wisdom will be demanded of those who are challenged to lead this small part of the motherland into the future.

 The point is that none of you young people -- sitting here, poised to take your independent place in the world -- know what will be asked of you.

 The lesson that says: "Even the most ordinary people -- under the most ordinary circumstances can make a huge, important, and positive influence on the lives of others."

 There is another message of the Lord of the Rings and that is that -- often in life -- it is heroic just to keep going.

 Although I hate to be the bearer of bad news, I have to acknowledge that there are times in most people's lives -- even the best of us -- when, through no fault of our own, the twists and turns of fate can deal awful blows that alter our lives and the lives of those we love.

 C    A bout with cancer or some other serious and debilitating disease;

 C    The illness of a loved one;

 C    The loss of a loved one;

 C    The failure of a business;

 C    A financial disaster;

 C    An outbreak of war;

 C    A natural catastrophe; or,

 C    The malevolence of mankind.

 In the Lord of The Rings, Frodo -- the ring bearer -- experiences frustration that so much is being demanded of him and he says to Gandalf: 'I wish it need not have happened in my time.'

 To which Gandalf replied:

 C    'So do I, and so do all who live to see such times.

 C    But that is not for them to decide.

 C    All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'

 C    Let me say that again: 'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'

 We sometimes just cannot control the circumstances that are thrust upon us by chance.

 To me, the theme of the Lord of the Rings is a story about unlikely heroes who become pre-eminent among the more likely heroes.

 C    Frodo is not big, or strong, or powerful in any way.

 C    But, he is "as tough as old tree roots,"

 C    And, he is "as constant as the season,"

 C    And, he just keeps putting one foot in front of another until he gets the job done.

 For that reason alone, he is my hero and the ultimate hero of the story.

 My fourth lesson gleaned from the 'Lord of the Rings' is probably not the stuff of great graduation addresses -- those speeches that talk about boundless opportunities and unlimited vistas for young and vigorous graduates.

But honesty requires that I add that  -- quite often in life -- there come days, months, years, or even decades in almost every life, when there is no solution -- valiant, courageous or otherwise.

Even the best and wisest of us can come upon situations when it is epically heroic just to put one foot in front of the other in order to pass through a valley of shadow with only the scarcest hope that we will ultimately break out into the sunlight.

In Tolkien's epic, he has Frodo bring out the issue of fear, courage and the heroics of merely putting one foot in front of the other, until the goal is reached.

Frodo says: "I know what I must do, but I'm afraid to do it."

This is important, because he does do it; he keeps on keeping on . . . headed for Mordor and toward his ultimate mission to destroy the ring of unlimited power, before it can get into the hands of evil people. 

In this way, Tolkien reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the control of it.

 C    The absence of fear in the face of real danger and serious threat is patently foolhardy!

 C    Again, courage is not the absence of fear but the control of it.

 C    It is the choice to do what is right and good over what is self-serving and safe.

 C    To be truly courageous, courage must befit the necessities of the moment.

 -  For example: jumping off a high bridge to save a lost doll is patent stupidity;

 -  But, to jump off that same bridge to save a drowning child is incredibly brave.

 -  To risk your life's savings on the toss of the dice is stupid;

 -    But, to risk your life's savings on a smart venture may be incredibly bright -- or . . . maybe not. An extension of the fourth lesson of the Ring continues the theme that -- when faced with epic challenges -- even ordinary people can find great courage and make a huge difference.

In reply to Frodo's question about what they're holding on for, his friend Sam says, " There's something worthwhile in the world, something worth fighting for."

At another point, Frodo says "But, where shall I find courage? For that is what I chiefly need."

One truth about courage is that it, sometimes, comes from strange sources. 

I have never been in battle, but those who have, tell me that -- when the bullets start whizzing around your ears and the situation is, indeed, dire, great acts of courage and heroism often come from the least likely people.

In the medical field, great advances are often made by obscure doctors who -- when faced with unusual problems -- have the courage to create unusual solutions.

Despite his doubt, when courage is needed, Frodo manages to muster it up and to keep on going in the face of incredible odds.

In the book or movie, you almost never see Frodo swinging a sword or shooting an arrow; his role is to escape getting killed or captured and to live to continue taking the ring to where it can be destroyed.

But, isn't that also courage?

There is great courage in not quitting . . .  not giving up . . . just putting one foot in front of another in the face of adversity.

My young friends -- few of us are called upon in life to answer great and epic calls to duty.

But, all of us are called upon by life:

 C    To live it decently;

 C    To live it selflessly;

 C    To care for others, especially those less fortunate;

 C    To take up for good causes, whether great or small;

 C    To take up against bad causes, whether great or small;

 C    To treat others as we would be treated; and,

 C    To take advantage of our blessings -- such as the diplomas you have just earned -- and use your knowledge wisely -- to do the most good that you can . . . for the most people . . . for the rest of your lives.

 To me, that is the core message the Lord of the Rings brings to us, and I hope it serves you well.

 In closing, let me say:

 C    Congratulations on your achievement;

 C    You have graduated from a great university and your diplomas signify that you are people of extraordinary merit with enormous opportunities.

 C    And, may each of you choose well as to how you use your time on this earth . . .   for in the final analysis, that is all we can do.

 C    . . . That's all we can do.

 C    . . .  All we can do.

 I wish you well.                          

                        

 

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A Loaf of Bread
  TO LIVE YOUR LIFE FULLY

 

Over the past weeks, I have continuously asked myself
 

"What could I possibly say to you tonight that I wish might have been said to me 25 years ago?"

In your young years, I know that 25 years probably seems like an eternity ... but to those of us with graying hair and ever creasing skin, the term life is all too finite.

The crux, therefore, of the message that I have for you tonight is ... each of you has only one life to live . . . don't pursue it as though you were just "picking up a loaf of bread."

Now, I'm sure each of you is thinking to yourself.

"A loaf of bread . . . what the heck is this guy talking about?" "Maybe he's just a little short of a loaf himself?" I hope not . . . so let me explain.

For many years, I was a small-town businessman.

One day . . . I was sitting in my office in the office when one of our elderly customers whom I had known for some time came in to my office and kind of slunk down in the chair opposite my desk. As I looked at him, he suddenly looked very old - certainly lots older than when I had seen him just a few weeks before.

"Joe," he said, "the worst thing happened to me yesterday ... I can't describe how utterly despondent I feel ... how utterly desolate and depressed I am."

He said, "Joe . . . yesterday was my 70th birthday ... and as I was thinking about the birthday celebration that was planned for me, I began to review the events of my life."

He continued, "As my mind quickly scanned the years and the blur of memories from 70 years and 280 seasons, I became increasingly aware that I had not lived life to its fullest."

"Joe," he said, "my life is almost over . . . and . . . despite a few cherished memories, it all seemed like, when I was 25 years old, I went down to the corner store to pick up a loaf of bread ... and when I arrived back home, I was 70 years old."

As I looked into Karl's saddened eyes, I could not understand ... I could not appreciate ... I could not fathom ... why he should feel so unfulfilled.

 ∙     He had achieved some success ... they had raised a good family ... he was respected in his business, his
     church, and in his community.

 ∙     Yet, he felt he had let the opportunities of life slip by.

 ∙     To Karl, it was not enough.

 ∙     He felt that his life had fallen woefully short of its potential.

He had not fought the good fight ... he had not led the good cause ... he had not taken the bold chance ... he had never thrown himself full-thrust into any task . . . or lived the great adventure.

 He had merely put one foot quietly, resolutely, carefully, responsibly and conservatively in front of the other until 70 years of his time on this earth had passed.

 If I could bring him from the land of the beyond to talk to you in my place tonight ... I think I know what he might have said.

 He might have said, "Young men ... don't live your life with the same sense of purpose, spirit and excitement that you would exert to just go 'pick up a loaf of bread."'

 Take control of your life ... live it with purpose ... live it with excitement ... live it by throwing yourself full measure into each day ... each new task . . . each and every adventure.

 Now, neither Karl ... nor I ... nor anyone else ... can tell you how to live your life ... and I won't be so foolish as to try.

 But I will tell you that I have known several other men and women who, upon reaching their 70th birthdays, have looked back upon their lives with the same sense of exhilaration, pride and excitement that I see in the eyes of each of you.

 And I can tell you that there is something special about those elderly but vibrant people who feel their lives on this earth have made some difference.

 There is something special about those who, throughout their years, have tackled the challenges of life and will leave the world a little better for their having been here.

 From that daily zest for life they still exude, you know that every page in their record book has been filled with the full bounty of life.

 ∙   With the big chances taken,

 ∙   With strong and passionate causes followed,

 ∙   With wonderful robust and loving relationships that are still revealed in the sparkle of their eyes and the
     quickness of their steps.

 And, as each of you move through the days of your life, you will each build up a score that will ultimately mark the full value of your days on this earth.

 You now have broad choices as to how that life will be lived.

 But as time passes . . . much more quickly than you think . . . your scope will narrow.

 Choices will slowly, inevitably diminish, and the record that is your life upon this earth will become more and more complete.

By your presence here tonight, you already have a marvelous start.

 The unhappy and unfilled and aging "Karls" of this world are not distraught from failure ... they are distraught from. . . never having tried . . .

 ∙   The failure of never looking beyond today's trip to the store for a loaf of bread . .

 ∙   To something bigger . . . and far beyond the reach of one day's effort . . .

 ∙   The failure of never giving completely of yourself to attain an ambitious and worthy dream.

 I promised you that I would not presume to prescribe for you how to live your lives, and I will be true to that promise.

 But, let me offer a few yes's and no's that, while woefully inadequate, might just strike a meaningful chord in your thoughts . . . thoughts that might lead to further achievement and, ultimately, to a proud and satisfied 70th birthday for each of you.

 ∙   Say yes to responsibility, for only if you take responsibility for your own future and your own destiny will you
     have any chance of attaining those goals.

    How many of you have seen your friends look to their parents, their teachers and other friends to tell them
     what to do . . . what to be . . . and how to go about it?

     Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't listen to others . . . far from it.

  Consider all they say . . . but realize, too, that, in the final analysis, there is only one you . . .

 And you are the one who is responsible . . . and, like my friend, Karl . . . you will hold yourself responsible 50 or 60 years from now for the total impact of your life upon this earth.

 ∙   Say no to apathy because individual indifference to the quality of society will eventually bring about a society
     in which you will not want to live and a society that you will not want to pass on to those for whom you
     lead the way.

 ∙   Say no to drugs, for the best of us in the worst of times may not be strong enough to escape the downward
     spiral of drug-induced pleasure or drug-induced tranquility.

 ∙   Say no to drugs not only for yourself but, if you love mankind, say no to drugs for your friends, your parents,
     your neighbors and your country.

 ∙   Say no to drugs and mean it ...

 ∙   Say no to drugs and enforce it.

 ∙   Say yes to adventure, for only with bold dreams and spirited goals will you have challenged the full measure
     of your true potential in the one life you have to lead upon this earth.

As my old friend, Karl, tragically found on his 70th birthday . . . just "getting by" is not enough . . . not enough to feel good about your life on your 70th birthday.

A rich and vibrant life demands a sense of adventure and the acceptance of reasonable risks in the pursuit of great goals.

Say no to self-indulgence and a life in pursuit of the "easy" way.

The road to a tragic 70th birthday is marked with a trail blazed with missed opportunities ... too much TV; too little reading; too much eating; too little doing; too much taking; too little giving; too many dreams; with too few plans.

You build great lives in little ways ... by bold little decisions ... everyday ... bold little decisions ... everyday ... everyday.

Good lives are characterized by self sacrifice - not self gratification.

So, therefore, say yes to caring and concern for others, for no life is worthwhile that tramples over others or seeks only its self-serving gain.

Say yes to delayed or postponed gratification.

The key to a successful future is to pay your dues now and to hope for rewards and glory in the future.

 - Tomorrow's pianist is today's struggling student of music.

 - Tomorrow's astronaut is today's struggling student of science.

 -  And, tomorrow's leader is today's loyal follower.

 Life is a long race, and those who will finish well are those who run, even the early hills, as though they were neck-and-neck at the finish.

But I am in the sad position of preaching to the choir.

Your presence here is clear and abiding evidence that you recognize the value of hard work and contribution.

And, by your presence here, you have proven that you know that the formula for a fulfilling and rewarding future ... and a satisfying 70th birthday ... is:

Each and every day ... to do the hard work and the unpleasant tasks first, and push the rewards until later.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Legion Speech

             

Thank you, Commander, for that very kind and generous introduction.                                   

And, I'd like to compliment the women who prepared the wonderful dinner, which I know you all enjoyed as much as I did.

 I've been told there are three rules for speaking after dinner and they are: 

C       First, to be sincere;

 C       Second, to be brief; 

C       And, third to be seated -- and the sooner the better..

 I intend to abide by all three. 

So, in conclusion . . . (long pause and smile)

 Well, I guess, I should not be quite that brief. 

Looking out over this wonderful gathering of veterans who have fought our nation's battles in time of war and protected our safety in time of peace, I am struck by the honor of being asked to speak at this distinguished gathering.

 It was so satisfying to this old veteran  to raise my hand to my heart and join with the passionate voices of you terrific legionnaires in the revered words of the pledge of allegiance to our nation.

In November of 1919, immediately following four years of the fierce, mud-soaked trench warfare, of World War I, the American Legion was formed in Paris, France, by the first caucus of the members of the American Expeditionary Force. 

Since then, for more than  80 years, the American Legion of the United States has stayed true to the precepts of its preamble that pledges its Legion's membership:

 C       To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;  

C       To maintain law and order;  

C       To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; 

C       To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars;

 C       To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;

 C       To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;

 C       To make right the master of might;

 C       To promote peace and goodwill on earth;

 C       To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;

 C       And, finally, to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

 What a huge and honorable commitment that is!

 As a veteran, myself, I am so proud that the veterans, who are gathered tonight in this wonderful church, continue to lead our country in honoring and supporting its fighting men and woman who have protected the nation's freedom.

 The history of America's fighting men and women is a long and proud one:

 C      From the green slopes of Breed's and Bunker Hills;

 C      To the cold North Seas, the twisted hedge rows, and clouded skies of Western Europe in World War I and  II;                                                                                       

C      To the frozen hills, stair-stepped rice paddies and thatch-roofed hamlets of Korea;

 C      To the murky rice paddies, rivers and lush green mountains of Vietnam;

 C      To the bleached and stinging sands of the Middle East;

 C      To the rugged, thin-aired mountains of Afghanistan;

 C      And -- today -- throughout the world wherever terrorists and tyrants plot to harm us.

 When -- minutes ago -- I joined each of you in pledging my allegiance to the United States of America, I remembered another pledge I made to my country and that was when I took my oath as a 2nd Lieutenant.

 To set the stage for the few thoughts I want to share with you tonight, I want each of you to think back to the time when you first entered the service.

 C         It may have been in the recruiting station.

 C         It may have been in the reception station.

 C         It may have been at a high school or college commencement.

 C         You may have been in the first uniform you wore or the last pair of civilian clothes you would wear for a while.

 Right now, in your mind's eye, I want you to think back to that time and the setting in which you raised your right hand to God and pledged in similar words that I pledged on that (hot)(cold) (month) in (year) . . .

 I, (Name) having been appointed a second lieutenant , do solemnly swear . . .

 C         That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic,

 C         That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;

 C         That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;

 C         And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties an officer in the United States Air Force, so help me God.

 And today, thousands more young Americans are raising their hands and swearing allegiance to their nation, just as we did so many years ago.

 They, too, are joining the ranks of America's armed services to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.

 And, today, that term foreign and domestic, has a very special meaning.

 Because truly, the enemies of America -- and of the world are not only emerging from strange lands with strange names in the Middle East and Far East, they are lurking among us in secret cells waiting to attack undefended men, woman and children.

 And, today, not only our fighting men and women, but all of America's citizens, face a new kind of enemy:

 C      We are faced with an enemy who feels powerless, so he hates us for our strength;

 C      We are faced with an enemy who lives in poverty and privation, so he hates us for our prosperity and plenty.

 C      We are faced with an enemy who lives in slavery, bondage and fear, so he hates us for our free and democratic lives.

 C      We are faced with an enemy who cannot withstand our forces on land, on sea or in the air, so he strikes our unarmed civilians with our own
        aircraft, because he cannot build such planes.

C      And, finally, we are faced with an enemy who sneaks and scurries from hills and caves to strike our unarmed, men, women and children while they are at peace.

Today, terrorism has spread the battlefield to the four corners of the earth:

 C       From embassies and consulates around the world;

 C       To troop installations on foreign soils and even here in America;

 C       To airports and airliners here and around the world; and,

 C       From Times Square in the metropolis of New York to small town squares and villages like those in our own North Carolina farmland.

 For this reason, today -- not only America's fighting forces, must be prepared for battle -- but even our civilians must be ever vigilant in their own defense.

 As veterans, we all have the obligation to use our past training to stay ever vigilant.

 Today, as we meet in this peaceful country church . . .

 Today, our young Soldiers, Sailors, Air Men and Marines -- serving the most powerful military force that has ever existed -- are guaranteeing that -- not only the United States -- but free people around the world remain free and uncoerced.

 They serve so that no free nation must ever have to be threatened and coerced by ambitious and evil tyrants who hide or use weapons of mass destruction against their neighbors like . . .

Now, as we speak, more squadrons, divisions and fleets are gathering once more to meet the nation's enemies and protect its interest.

And, I know, that today's soldiers, sailors airmen and marines will take the battle to the nation's enemy, as many of you took the battle to the nation's enemies of yesterday.

You, here, in the American Legion, are part of the army of votes and voices that bring the needs of our veterans to the notice of the President and ring throughout the halls of Congress.

With your powerful voice, the American Legion carries forward the responsibility of government to -- as Abraham Lincoln reminded Americans -- 'care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.'

There was never another time in history to remind our leaders more of the nation's sacred obligation to those who bore the battle, than right now, because when the economy is weak, the eye of the budget-cutters becomes cloudy in seeing the nation's obligation to its veterans but clear only in seeing the current costs to the budget.

Today, the representatives of The American Legion take the needs of America's veterans, who have fought the battles of yesteryear . . .

C          Into the state assemblies and the executive offices;

C          Into the halls of the Congress and  the corridors of the Pentagon;

C          And into the memories and sense of fairness of the American people to speak for those who once served and who now need to be served in Veteran's retirement homes, nursing homes and veterans hospitals across America.

And, as a proud citizen of (State), I am proud of the way the our state has seen to the needs of our aging veterans with the fine Veteran's Hospitals. . .

 C          In (City);

 C          In (City);

 C          In (City);

 C          In (City);

 C          And, in nearby (City).

 I am also proud of our new state's Veterans Nursing Home in (city) and of the other veteran's facilities across the (motto) State.

 Those of us who are still fortunate enough to be strong of limb and mind must continue to be vigilant to make sure that our Veterans are well cared for.

 I know each of you will continue to do your part in this vital support mission of the American Legion.

 I know of no prouder and more meaningful title for man or a woman to have -- especially those of us with graying and thinning hair -- than to say, 'I am a veteran of the Armed Services of the United States of America.'

 And, that is why The American Legion has become one of those hallowed names in the hearts of American patriots.

 I thank you for allowing me to join with you this evening and I wish each of you and American Legion Post (number) God's blessing in the months and years ahead.

 Thank you for having me.

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Now I will share a few thoughts about why I write in certain style.

Always put speaker, speaker's title, audience, location, room, city state and zip, the date and time and a title for my speech. That focuses my mind and the speakers as well; so in 12 point font I always, always put this information at the top of the first page.

Name
Title
Speech
Building
Address
City, State and Zip
Date.
 

 I'm using a speech I wrote for a teenager at a Martin Luther King Celebration in 2000, but I've changed the names to protect the speaker and used Jackie's name as the speaker.

 

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy for Me

 

(Speechwriter Explanation): Jackie starts out by thanking introducer.

Thank you, Doctor Jones, for that very kind introduction.

 

(Speechwriter Explanation):Give Credit to Others and be self-deprecating . . .  Jackie Continues by jibing her introducer and teacher that he's responsible for her goofs . .

I hope you recognize that, as my English Professor and also the one who invited me to speak here this evening, you must take at least partial responsibility for any faux pas I make.

In all seriousness, though, Professor Jones is one of those dream teachers, who inspires and nurtures and as she teaches and instructs.

And -- along with many other students -- I have been really blessed by her brilliant intellect and warm and forgiving nature.

And, I hope she will forgive me for feeling a bit daunted, speaking at this memorable event tonight.

It's daunting because:

∙      Not only am I a teenager speaking before a very intellectual and gifted audience of

     adults. . .

∙      But my words will most likely be somewhat mundane following those of a sophisticated English professor and before a practiced preacher.

 I suppose I feel a little as I might feel if our high school football coach came to our cheerleading squad and sent me into the football game with all those 200 pound guys.

 But, I will do my best.

 (Speechwriter Explanation):Here Jackie uses two techniques . ..  She is self-deprecating -- and pokes fun at herself

 I'm a believer in using one-liner jokes get in and get out as Jackie did with the cheerleader football line. Jackie continues her self-deprecation by commenting on how well the earlier speaker spoke.  She says . . .

 I have been asked to speak to you today with a perspective on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life focusing on the present.

 And, in doing so, I feel quite fortunate, because I can build on the brilliant review shared with us by Doctor Smith, who so richly described the work of Dr. King and the impact of the important events of his life on his times.

 (Speechwriter Explanation):When you know who came before and who came after, you can use it to help your speech.

 But, because I am neither a scholar, nor a preacher, I can only share with you what I believe is Dr. Martin Luther King's influence on my life and on my times, neither of which are very long in the grand scheme of things.

 (Speechwriter Explanation):Self Deprecation

 So, once again, I hope you will bear with me.

Ladies and gentlemen, we young people growing up in America today often look to the bold acts and worthy thoughts of others around which to form our own acts and our own thoughts.

Close at hand, I am fortunate to have the thoughts and guidance of a very loving and supportive mother and father and wonderful teachers and professors such as Doctor Jones.

But when -- as a young teenager -- I started looking for inspiration and example -- beyond my family circle and my classrooms -- it wasn't long before I focused on Martin Luther King, Jr.

(Speechwriter Explanation):Play off the obvious differences and Jackie starts that now she says . . .

Now, outwardly, there is nothing much that links my life to Dr. King's life.

 ∙      He was a man; I am a woman.

 ∙      He was black; I am white;

 ∙      He was a man of the 50s and 60s generation and my generation is yet to be tested.

 ∙      He was -- and still is -- one of the most important leaders of the past millennium and I am still a high-school and college student, waiting to be tested by life.

 (Speechwriter Explanation):Again Jackie uses Self Deprecation and Parallelism, just as Lincoln said 'The world will little note; nor long remember -- what we say here.'  Jackie says . .

 But, the fact is that -- through his magnificent leadership and spellbinding language -- Dr. King has become a symbol . . .

 ∙     A symbol of calming harmony in a world of angry conflict -- for every generation;

 ∙      A symbol of human understanding in a world of bigoted ignorance -- for every generation;

 ∙      A symbol of accommodating unity in a world of parochial disharmony for every generation.

 And, therefore, in his teachings and through his leadership principles, Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke:

 (Speechwriter Explanation):Here Jackie again uses parallelism for strength . . . she continues to talk about her responsibility to follow King's lead.

King's lessons of justice, brotherhood and harmony should have no boundaries of race, nationality or time.

As a white woman in Florida, I am just as much the recipient of Dr. King's legacy of racial harmony as a Black man in Georgia.

 (Speechwriter Explanation):Play off the best words of others. Here Jackie says.

 So when Dr. Martin Luther King dreamed of the day when 'little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls together as sisters and brothers,' I was and am one of the little white girls he dreamed about.

 Now -- no one -- least of all me -- would say that the total fulfillment of Martin Luther's Dream of a just society devoid of bigotry and malice was realized in his time. . .

 ∙      Nor was it realized in your time . . .

 ∙      Nor will it be realized in my time.

 ∙      But, it is our challenge and our responsibility for each of us -- in our time -- do our
        very best to follow his teachings and his principles to continue the great work he
         began. . .     Not only though his nonviolent leadership in the counter culture of the
         50s and 60s,

But through his teachings that every man and woman on this earth has value and deserves respect.

Clearly, Dr. King provides us a legacy to live by -- a legacy that is just as vital in our new millennium as it was in his.

In his great ministry of love and brotherhood so brilliantly put forth in his landmark 'I Have a Dream Speech' Dr. king spoke of his dream of what should be.

(Speechwriter Explanation):Now Jackie starts to get to the action declaration in her speech, and compares what was in King's time with what is in her time in a parallel construction, when she says:

It is now the task and responsibility of your generation and my generation to continue his challenge to us of making what should be . . . what is . . . and what will be.

Dr. King dreamed of a world in which everyone would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It now our obligation to make sure that in everything we do, no man's right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is impinged upon.

Dr. King spoke of 1963 as dawn of the struggle for justice.

It is now our duty to insure that . . . in the 21st millennia . . . we continue that struggle for full justice, for all races and nationalities.

Dr. King dreamed of a time when the full meaning of America's creed that all men are created equal would be realized.

It is now up to all of us to make sure that . . . in our time on this earth . . . all men are treated equally.

Dr. King dreamed that one day the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners would be able to sit down at the table of brotherhood.

(Speechwriter Explanation): You notice Jackie used a double parallel construction when she started every other line with, Dr King Dreamed, Dr. King said and the next line started with each next line with It is now.  Jackie Continues using Kings metaphor of 'the Table of Brotherhood'.

We have come a long way toward that dream and, today, many of us sit at that table of brotherhood, of which Dr. King dreamed . . .

But there are still far too many who do not have a seat at that table,

And it is our task to make more room for those who do not yet have a place.

(Speechwriter Explanation): In this next section, Jackie brings King's thesis up-to-date, to talk about Hispanics

Now, in his ministry and in his famous speech before the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King was most likely thinking of Blacks having a place at the table with Whites.

But -- in that same sprit -- both Blacks and Whites today must make room for Yellows, Reds and Browns at the table as well.

And there will be many places to provide, because, within the next five years, Hispanic Americans will become the largest minority in America.

(Speechwriter Explanation): Next Jackie plays off Kings famous quote of being his four little children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.' She continues. . .

Dr. King dreamed of a time when his four little children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

So today, it is our obligation to be character conscious and color blind.

And it is just as important that whites and blacks judge others by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character as well.

We all should be judged by what we do and say rather than how we look or how we talk.

And, were he here, I am sure that in his powerful preacher's voice, Reverend King would say a resounding Amen to that.

(Speechwriter Explanation): Again, Jackie calls for action by our generation. She continues.

Yes -- ladies and gentlemen -- Martin Luther King had many dreams for us, each with its own challenge to us.

 $     Where he dreamed of peace, we must be peaceful and seek peace.

 $     Where he saw hope, we must provide fulfillment.

 $     Where he dreamed of equality, we must treat each other as equals.

 $     Where he dreamed of brotherhood, we must act as brothers and sisters.

 $     Where he dreamed of justice, we must provide a just society.

 (Speechwriter Explanation): Now Jackie closes linking King's Challenge with our duty She continues . . .

Let me close my few thoughts with you this evening, by saying that Martin Luther King, Jr. became famous, not for providing solutions, but for providing challenges and by setting the example.

And, now, each of us must accept his challenge for greater understanding and follow his powerful example.

Each of us, in our time, must fight the good fight for justice and equality.

Every generation stands on the shoulders of the generation that came before.

Just as Martin Luther King stood on the shoulders of Mahatma Gandhi to see the promised land of brotherhood and non-violent protest. . .

Your generation must stand on Martin Luther King's shoulders to fulfill the destiny of brotherhood, in your time.

And my generation must stand on your shoulders to fulfill the destiny of brotherhood in our time.

And -- if my generation does its job well -- our children will stand firmly on our shoulders to fulfill the destiny of brotherhood in their time.

So the higher your generation lifts my generation, the higher we can hold the next and the better off each successive generation will be.

As a young woman who now walks in your footsteps, all I ask is that you show us the same path of brotherhood and set the same example that Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. showed and set for you.

I know you have the courage and strength to do so.

Thank you.

 

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Warren H. (Sandy) Anderson
Executive Speech & Business Writing

111 Beckham Court
Charlotte, NC 28211

Tel: 704-365-3004
Fax: 704-365-9700
E-Mail: sandyand1@aol.com

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