What do you want me to do?
John F. Kennedy told me to not ask what my country could do for me, but rather to ask what could I do for my country.
Incidentally, I cried my little fourth-grade eyes out when he was gunned down.
I was there, in front of the television set in 1969, when we landed on the moon. As promised.
So Mr. President. What is it you want me to do?
I'm fifty-five years old. I'm physically and mentally disabled. But I can still work.
What would you like me to do? If it's in my capacity, I will do it if you ask it of me.
But I don't know what you want me to do.
I campaigned for you and helped you reach your office. It was all voluntary, and though I didn't actually do all that much, still I worked for you. Because I believed in you. I believed you believed in me. I still do.
So, what do you want me to do?
Shovel manure? That's easy enough. All I have to do is watch Congress.
Pick up the pieces? That's easy enough. All I have to do is give a couple of bucks to the homeless family on the street.
Think ahead? That's easy enough. Let us plan to grant unlimited health care access for all U.S. citizens and those otherwise eligible.
Work against social injustice? That's easy enough. All I have to do is wade in with my two-cents worth of opinion against DADT and in support of all my GLBT sisters and brothers. On another note, when one of my classmates in my DUI class blamed all our of problems on "them fu&&&ng n*****s, I called him out and told him that the word "nigger" was highly offensive to me, and would he please never use it again. He was shamed, and rightly so. Pity was that I had to call him out. Pity was that the class instructor remained silent.
Go back to work? I'm working on it. I'm going to graduate from community college in May with a double AA degree, and my plans for future work are in the works.
Should I commit myself to some sort of voluntary community service in the meantime? I would like to, but with my DUI my local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children) office says I am ineligible.
Should I board a plane for Haiti? I don't have a passport yet, and even if I get one and when I got there to Haiti, what would I be able to do anyway? I have no professional credentials as a rescue worker.
What, Mr. President, do you want me to do?
Name it. I will do it if I can.
For our sake, present me with a challenge.
Most sincerely,
Forrest R. Prince
Quincy, California
frprince@frc.edu
p.s. I am a US Navy veteran. I served my country. I am willing to serve again if only you would tell me what I need to do.