What is the intended audience for President John F. Kennedy's inaugural
address?
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.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you
-ask what you can do for your country.
-President John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961¹