This year’s Kendal Fourth of July celebration was special: the Declaration and the Bill of Rights, the singing, a reenvisioned American flag, the Emma Lazarus poem, the unsung women of the Founding era, the debate. But even in all that excellence, the “Linda and the Goldenaires” piece stood out. We saved a special section in this Residents Website to salute them.
If you remember, these usually jovial Kendalites were deadly serious. They began in a line, each dressed in a shirt printed with American flags—reading a quote from the past—near or far —he felt pertinent to our Democracy. Then, rotating in line, each read a second quote.
THE QUOTES
Mike Kornfield Quotes:
I cannot believe that war is the best solution. No one won the last war and no one will win the next war. Eleanor Roosevelt
There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with the power to endanger the public liberty. John Adams
Greg Lozier Quotes
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost. Arthur Ashe
The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world. Michelle Obama
Jon Masters Quotes
I don’t want to be the President who built empires, or sought grandeur, or extended dominion. I want to be the President who helped to end hatred among his fellow men and who promoted love among the people of all races and all regions and all parties. President Lyndon B. Johnson
We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln
Philip Monteleoni Quotes
To lodge all power in one party and keep it there is to insure bad government and the certain and gradual deterioration of public morals. Mark Twain
When we unite in purpose, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Maya Angelou
THE SONG
The height of the evening was the group’s performance of a singing of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, again reenvisioned for our day, and written by Mike Kornfield and Linda Mahoney.
Linda and the Goldenaires, photo by Harry Bloomfeld
Battle Hymn for July 4th
Our country is in trouble Now of that there is no doubt So we must resist all tyrants From within and from without Who try to take our rights away And crush democracy Reclaim our liberty
Chorus: Glory, Glory, let us all be strong Glory, Glory let us right what’s wrong Glory ,Glory let us sing one song Unite and we’ll be strong
On city streets and country roads We’re neighbors one and all We’ll bear each others’ burdens And help them if they fall We must build a new community And try to sing one song Unite and we’ll be strong
Chorus
We all live on this planet And we all must learn to share This Earth has been our mother And her gifts are everywhere The trees, the birds, the animals, The water and the air We all must do our share
Chorus
Our spirit is awakening We’ll do what must be done We will practice love for neighbors Until the battle’s won We will keep our nation friendly. To the stranger who’s in need Be true in word and deed
Chorus
By the final chorus, the entire audience seemed to be singing, with vigor, along with them.
Well, done Linda and the Goldenaires!