<p>In your hands, my fellow citizens, 
more than mine, will rest the final success or failure
 of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of 
Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its 
national loyalty. The graves of young
 Americans who answered the call to service surround the
 globe.</p>

<p>Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as 
a call to bear arms, though arms we need -- 
not as a call to battle, though embattled we are -- 
but a call to bear the burden of a 
long twilight struggle, year in and year 
out "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,"
 a struggle against the common enemies of man: 
tyranny, poverty, disease, and
 war itself.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and 
global alliance,North and South, 
East and West, that can assure a more 
fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that 
historic effort?</p><p>

In the long history of the world, only a few generations 
have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of 
maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility
-- I welcome it. I do not believe that 
any of us would exchange places with any 
other people or any other generation. The 
energy,the faith, the devotion
 which we bring to this endeavor will light our 
country and all who serve it. And the glow from 
that fire can truly light the world.</p><p>

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country
 can do for you, ask what you can do for 
your country.</p><p>

My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America
 will do for you|, but what together we 
can do for the freedom of man.</p><p>

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the 
world, ask of us here the same high
standards of strength and sacrifice which 
we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with 
history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the 
land we love, asking His blessing and His
 help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must 
truly be our own.</p>
