that nothing that omnipotence can break. and yet, my love of country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield. sullivan ballou gave his life on the battlefield a week later at the first battle of bull run. it is because sullivan ballou encounters and countless others believe in something other than themselves and were willing to sacrifice for it that we stand today in the full blessings of liberty, in the greatest country on earth. and that spirit lives on in each of us, americans whose families have been here for generations and those who have just arrived. and i know our best days are you have to come. i urge all americans to read ballou s full letter.
ballou s full letter. his words give me solace, strength. i hope they will give you the same. now please stand while the associate justice of the supreme court clarence thomas administers the oath of office to the vice president of the united states. placed her hand on the right bible. mr. vice president-elect, would you raise your right hand and repeat after me. i, michael richard pence, do solemnly swear. i, michael richard pence, do solemnly swear. justice thomas: that i will
lists it seems to bind me to you that nothing that omnipotence can break. and yet, my love of country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield. sullivan ballou gave his life on the battlefield a week later at the first battle of bull run. it is because sullivan ballou encounters and countless others believe in something other than themselves and were willing to sacrifice for it that we stand today in the full blessings of liberty, in the greatest country on earth. and that spirit lives on in each of us, americans whose families have been here for generations and those who have just arrived. and i know our best days are you have to come. i urge all americans to read
on july 14th, 1861, when the north and south were lining up for their first battle, a time when our country was bitterly divided and faith in the future of our country was low, major sullivan ballou of the second rhode island volunteers penned a letter to his wife, sarah. it is one of the greatest letters in american history. it shows the strength and courage of the average american. allow me to read some of his words, which echo through the ages. my very dear, sarah, the indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. if it is necessary that i should fall on the battlefield for my country, i am ready. i have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which i am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter.
it is because sullivan ballou and countless others believed in something bigger than themselve themselves, and were willing to sacrifice for it, that we stand today in the full blessings of liberty, in the greatest country on earth. and that spirit lives on in each of us. americans whose families have been here for generations, and those who have just arrived. and i know our best days are you have to come. i urge all americans to read sullivan ballou s full letter. his words give me solace, strength, i hope they will give you the same. now, please stand, while the associate justice of the supreme court, clarence thomas, administers the oath of office to the vice president of the united states.