President Barack Obama has called public service a responsibility of citizenship and said that Americans should "think about what you can do to shape the country that we love." His call to service message is very powerful.

Americans can't sit back and wait for someone else to fix the problems we are facing and shouldn't complain about something if we are personally doing nothing to help. Start by making your community a better place and have a say in what happens locally. Get involved. Take time to help someone who is less fortunate or needs a friendly hand. Working to improve our communities and assisting our neighbors will not only provide someone with help, but will make our country a better place to live.

Regardless of who we voted for in November, we must all move forward as Americans and do our part to get through these difficult times.

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have launched a website - www.usaservice.org to alert residents of events and volunteer opportunities taking place around the country. Visit the site to register an event or get information on volunteering. We each have the ability to make a difference.

- D.J.N.