Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
[music]
>> I think we have a responsibility to serve and I’m really gratified when I have an
opportunity to make an impact or to make a difference.
My name is Bill Romani. I participated in the 2009 Day of Service
and I will be participating in the 2013 day of Service.
>> News anchor: Obama is just arriving at the high school in Washington, D.C.,
one of many locations participating in this National Day of Service.
>> Romani: I heard about the Day of Service through the inauguration website and through
the emails that we got.
I think one of the compelling things there
is that you met so many different people that had so many different experiences
in their own towns and their own communities
and we all came together on that one day for a similar effort
and when you put thousands of people together like that
you can really see the tremendous effort you can make.
>> President Obama: It is fitting that all of you, today, commemorated Dr. King and got
involved in this process of remaking America.
>> Romani: I think that the real value of the president emphasizing service as part
of his inauguration is that one it is an area where he has set an example.
Our president has participated in service.
Our president has made an impact on his community on a very small level.
I think that by highlighting that and highlighting his efforts,
what he is doing is letting us know that
we have the opportunity to make a difference as well.
Only if we all make a little bit of a difference can we really make an impact throughout the
country
in towns and neighborhoods and communities across the nation.
[pause]
The value that I take away from service
is stepping back at the end of the day or the end of the service and being able to see
the impact that I made and that feels great.
We can all come together and try to lay the groundwork for a sustainable level of service
throughout the year, not just on that third Monday of the year.
Everybody get on the website
and learn about the service opportunities that there are.
And then serve on January 19th
and once you’re done serving, make a pledge to continue that service throughout the year.
It doesn’t matter what background you have, what political affiliation you have, what
neighborhood you’re from.
It’s that everyone can get together, and work together for a common goal and that’s
to make our neighborhoods and our communities a better place.
[music]