On January 20, 1953, Dwight David Eisenhower became the 34th President of the United States.

He had been a General in the Army and the Commander of Allied Forces in Europe. He directed the famous Normandy Invasion, which insured America’s victory over Germany in World War II and as President, he became the Commander and Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.

This week, as President-elect Donald Trump was preparing to become our 45th President, the news media wondered how he would open his inaugural address because of the turmoil during and after his election.

Many of them shared what they thought would be good for him to open with in order to bring our divided nation together after such a bitter election.

I’m sure President Eisenhower, an American hero and a distinguished, humble man, battled the same thoughts before he took office.

It’s reported that two days before he became president, he attended church with his wife and decided to scribble a personal prayer.

After he was sworn into the most powerful office in the world, he began his speech with the following prayer he had written:

“Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment my future associates in the Executive branch of Government join me in beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication to the service of the people in this throng, and their fellow citizens everywhere.

“Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race or calling.

“May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those who, under the concepts of our Constitution, hold to differing political faiths; so that all may work for the good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen.”

I wonder how America would react if President-elect Trump would begin his term in such a manner. A popular Christian song has the following lyrics, “I can only imagine,” and that’s what I’m thinking.

President Eisenhower served his country well during the war to protect our freedom and continued as president to serve America as we enjoyed peace.

The way President Eisenhower opened his address to America on that first day as president excites me.

The way he ended his life is the way all of us should seriously think about. It’s been reported that as he faced death, he called his good friend, Evangelist Billy Graham.

He said, “I’ve been a General in the mightiest army in the world and President of God’s greatest country. At this time, the only thing that means anything is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Regardless of our role in life, that’s the thing in life that’s most important.

If you have any questions or comments, please write Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-542-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.