On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy took the oath of office to become our 35th President, and out of his acceptance speech came the infamous statement; “...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Through the nearly fifty years, since we first heard those words, time has not diminished their forcefulness. At no time in our history has the forcefulness of those words rang, so, true, as, they do today. I was just nine years old in 1961. Those words became the spring-board for me to always give something back to our nation. From the California Clean Environment Act in 1970 and 1972 – Proposition 9, a pay raise for the California Highway Patrol in 1972 – Proposition 16, and the California Marijuana Initiative – Proposition 19, all defeated, to the crown jewel win of Proposition 20, the California Coastal Conservation Act, which established the California Coastal Commission in 1976.

Throughout the years I have had the opportunities to work with, and, at times, get to know some pretty fine people who in one way or another have aided me in my hopes and dreams. Senator and Mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone, People's Lobby Exectutive Director Edwin A. Koupal Jr., members of the Sierra Club, Dr. Carl Parker – educator, Ms. Newsome and Scott McBeth of the Portland Public Schools, Cleavon Jackson – educator, Paul Shatzkin – author, Lloyd Marbet – activist, and Ani Haines of KBOO community non-profit radio in Portland, just to name a few.

And, it was through these projects of community service I joined the first call to "go green." I, through the education I received from those who hoped to change-the-world, did change the world in assisting to bring the idea of recycling to a reality, which bore fruit. I, along with others set up two of the San Francisco Bay Area's first recycling centers, outside of Berkeley and San Francisco, in San Leandro and Newark, California.

Had we stayed the “green course,” echoed by President Jimmy Carter, I wonder if the problems we face today, would have been as bad.

For those of us who continue to work for America, and for those who failed to join in making America a solidarity effort, in no time in our history has the call been, so, urgent.

I applaud President-elect Barack Obama's call for “Service to America.” And, at 57, I could come up with all type of excuses why I can't get out and aid the call. I, instead will join a team of people organized by our local United Way to paint and clean-up Twality Middle School, in Tigard, Oregon, this coming Saturday. My aim is to do two projects a month.

My purpose of writing this piece is to challenge each and every member on Xomba (xomba.com) and all Americans to get involved in projects in your community. Do something, not just read about our progress. The rewards that will come from your personal involvement will be more than you put in, from the people you will meet, to the self-satisfaction you will gain, to the peace of mind you will realize.

It might even be a good idea for Xomba to track its members progress in the amount of service given to America, and, more important show WE CARE! Saving America is a team-effort, you and your neighbors, you and your fellow members, here, on Xomba, you and your family, you, and the American people.

Xomba should create a category called “Service to America.”

Here are some links to assist you:
http://change.gov/americaserves/
http://liveunited.org
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/myevents_login
http://www.USAservice.org/calltoservice

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"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy-tonight is your answer.”
President Barack Obama, 4 Nov. 2008