So, in March 2008, Ratcliff began laying the groundwork for a national initiative the singular purpose of which is to bridge the divide between civic and veterans organizations and future leaders in their formative years in America’s cities, towns and villages a renewed sense of community and vitality across all generational, technological, and socioeconomic divides.

Every American has a story. Every building has a history. Every organization has a starting point and a possible tipping point of success, failure or extinction. Every community has a foundation upon which it was built. Oftentimes, these communities were built with the sweat equity and steady handedness of elders who sought no glory, no accolade or reward, as their desire was the establishment of a simple yet enduring affirmation of the collective and the abatement of communal needs.

To more and more disengaged citizens, community fairs; festivals; beautification projects; Christmas and holiday lightings and decorations; July 4th celebrations; veteran memorial details and funeral honor guards; etc. simply “happen.” Yet, many do not see the hundreds and thousands of hours meticulously and meaningfully put into each event by an active yet aging portion of our population who were inculcated with the belief that—besides faith and family—country and community are nearly everything. As members of “The Greatest Generation” leave us at record rates, it is time for each and every able American to heed the call to invest time, resources, care and commitment into their own communities.

The generation that came of age before, during or after World War II, fully understood the need to engage in collective responsibility. From the child who sold war bonds, to the mother who became “Rosie the Riveter,” to the father who took the beaches of Normandy, everyone did their part, shared the burden and accountability. Those men and women who served abroad were buoyed, strengthened and supported by those who served at home. Equally important, the success of one determined the success and outcome for the other.

The same need exists today. As adolescents grow into adults, many are seeking “community” online, while often overlooking or neglecting community at home. Similarly, many students lack a comprehensive knowledge of history, even as they reach voting age. As young men and women reach an age where they can help determine the future direction of our nation, it is critical that they have an understanding of what came before determining how to move the country forward. This is not an indictment, but rather, a call to arms to enter into a lifetime pursuit of causes greater than self.

As a Chinese Proverb reflects, “to forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without root.” More recently, Marcus Garvey expounded upon the same thought in articulating that “people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture” are likewise without proper anchor or solid footing.

Days like December 7, 1941 or September 11, 2001 live in infamy and in tragedy, after which our nation illustrated uncanny resolve, resourcefulness, resoluteness and promise of better days. Yet, our populace should not wait for the next calamity, natural disaster, or the like to understand how our nation endured a revolution, a civil war, two world wars, a prolonged economic depression and many other manmade or unpredictable occurrences. Simply put, like no other society in human history, the United States of America is truly the embodiment of E pluribus Unum…”out of many, one.”

While we are not the most populous or geographically expansive country in the world, our togetherness in times of need or crisis has helped our nation endure over its 232 year formal history. However, even in the dim light of today’s economic conditions and other societal maladies, we simply must not and cannot wait for those individuals or entities in need to present themselves. Rather, socially conscious men and women—especially young adults seeking their place in the world or possessing an infectious desire to change it—should have an ever-present question pursed on their lips: “How can I help?”

Just as many take the initiative in the classroom or lecture hall, on the sports field, or in pursuit of personal or professional fulfillment, how many can honestly say that they seek out opportunities to strengthen the civic bound between themselves and their community or impress upon others the importance in doing so? To those who do, well done. To those who fall short on this imperative, it is crucial to remember that the greatest reward in life is doing for others or enhancing their quality of life. Your service can beget the service of others. Your selflessness can serve as an omnipresent reminder to your peers, your colleagues, your family and friends of their own capacity to impact countless Americans.

An oft-mentioned refrain from an African proverb maintains that “it takes a village to raise a child.” In other cultures, there are other such sayings which more accurately mirror the American experience that “a child does not grow up only in a single home.” Rather, we are all products of nature and nurture. What is lost at the margins, is that the village itself is not self-sustaining.

When a community organization has to shutter its doors for lack of funding or support, everyone suffers. When a Memorial Day parade is canceled for lack of participation or attendance, we lose a reminder of the cost of freedom that has been paid by so many. When a Fourth of July celebration has to be scaled back or “postponed until next year” because the community’s coffers have dried up, we sacrifice a part of our commonality, shared experience, and patriotic pride as individuals and countrymen and women.

When most attend a parade, they most likely tell the organizers “wonderful parade” instead of perhaps asking “can I help out next year” or “can I help your older veterans with a ride in the future?” When most see fellow residents stringing Christmas lights in common areas or business districts, they assume that it is a school project or the like. Instead of passing by and saying “great lights,” perhaps he or she might consider stopping to ask “how could I get involved in assisting you in similar endeavors?”

While global interconnectivity is expanding like at no other time in recorded history, so to is the sense of community contracting. No longer do citizens of our great nation readily identify as much or as often with their hometown, their college community or their place in urban, suburban, rural or exurban society. While both the “brick and mortar” store and collective mentality are becoming archaic, we must not lose sight or value of where we live, where we work, where we raise our families or elect our representatives to local, state and national government. Each and every American has an innate, albeit not fully understood or appreciated, vested interest in the survival of his or her community.

For several years, Ratcliff and others have been involved in microfinancing farmers and artisans of cottage industries in Third World countries. In doing so, he has personally witnessed how simply assisting those with the work ethic, community-centric philosophy, sense of purpose and desire to provide food, goods and services to their neighbors can have widereaching and immeasurably positive results.

Just as these proud men and women are not seeking a handout, but are instead seeking a “hand up” to the benefit of their family and those to whom they, in turn, provide sustenance, most community organizations and veterans groups operate on shoestring budgets while consistently seeking innovative ways to provide valuable aid to those whom they serve, often accomplishing the mission with little to no outside assistance. Like those villagers, a growing number of community and veteran focused organizations here in the United States are having to perform nearly small miracles—in effect, turning water into wine—to stay operational themselves.

Many Americans would be amazed at how much of a difference they could truly make if they would “microfinance” their communities—finding ways small and large to fill the gaps. Most local and veterans organizations are proud leaders used to accomplishing the mission at all cost. However, in today’s economy, with the leadership thereof graying and their otherwise natural successors turning to interactive or virtual groups or associations, communities are not being adequately sustained by the very caretakers for whom their growth, success, charity and benevolence has been preserved for decades—if not centuries—and for lifetimes—if not generations—of families.

With many communities suffering the same circumstances—young men and women moving away while those who remain not substantially reinvesting in their civic surroundings—it is vitally important to encourage them to reengage and give back. While their place of birth or upbringing may have been built long ago, they will be able to say that in the dawn of a new century and millennium, “I helped transform, restore, preserve and promote my hometown and the legacy to which I added will be maintained in perpetuity and for all posterity.” In doing so, more and more young Americans will learn through their own appreciation and that which is reciprocated that, as Gandhi once said, they can be the change that they want to see in the world—and starting, in essence, from where they themselves began.

This website and its ancillary programs will allow an individual or entity to identify a need or fund a project among community organizations including but not limited to Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Jaycees and others as well as veterans organizations including but not limited to American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It will also allow them to match funds with a school, church or community group or share the cost of vital or worthwhile programs or social outreach; refurbishing, restoring or maintaining a building, a monument, a veterans park or memorial; and so forth. It will also allow such organizations to state their need, and for you to help meet it.

So too, will those seeking to enhance the viability and livability of their hometown be able to give their own sweat equity to community organizations through seemingly menial but necessary tasks to ensure the success and continuance of local programs, celebrations, parades, remembrances and other either uniquely American or historically significant gatherings.

Herein, community organizations will be able to link up and sync up with civic-minded and patriotic young Americans seeking to make a difference. Moreover, those who participate will be able to submit short after-action reviews on what their project did to change their lives or the course of their community and, by doing so, others can reflect, learn, emulate or be inspired by their collective successes and innovative solutions. Additionally, older Americans who have given so much will recognize that their own previous, current and future efforts will be appreciated, celebrated, and joined by those who will take up the banner of civic responsibility for years to come.

Simply put, our communities can and will only be preserved and strengthened through a heightened awareness of both their current circumstances and their needs by those who have benefited from their environs currently or previously.

Serve those who have served you. They may never ask. They should not have to. America, redouble your efforts to assist these altruistic, philanthropic and/or former uniformed individuals and entities. Show them the reverence and respect they are due through your own actions and undertakings. One cannot truly be proud of one’s country without showing pride in one’s community. Within each and every municipality are unsung heroes who quietly, passionately and devotedly submit themselves before, during and after work as caretakers and guardians of all that is noble where they reside.

In short, everyone is from somewhere. If you want to make a difference, start there.

I encourage all Americans to become stakeholders in their communities, especially their hometowns. In turn, your place of origin can become more than where you are from. It can become what you helped renew with an enhanced pride of heritage, ownership, heritage and tradition.

Every young American can serve their country ably, nobly and gallantly through a meaningful sojourn in the footsteps of their forbearers. Will you continue and expand upon their legacy while forging your own commitment to country and those civic and veterans organizations which have been the quiet but everpresent pillars of your community?

During the Revolutionary War, colonists were not initially concerned about protecting the original thirteen colonies. Instead, they sought to fight first for their families, their neighbors, and everything that was important and worthwhile in their village, town or burgeoning state.

While the 21st Century demands a global understanding and engagement by citizens of our nation and the world and many Americans move away from their traditional homesteads, don’t just invest in where you are, invest in where you have been—and perhaps most importantly—in those who have enabled your success first near, and now witnessed it from afar.

Our nation’s greatest enemy could become complacency and indifference among our citizenry. During the Great Depression, turmoil, tumult, difficulty and uncertainty did not drive our nation apart, it drew it closer together.

Do not let the cornerstones of your community crumble. Do not let the civic and veterans organizations that have given so much and asked for so little lose their ability to serve others. Do not ignore the call to service.

It is often said, take pride in your family, for it is the only one you have. Despite any faults or failings, shortcomings or inadequacies, your hometown is the only one you have. Take pride in it; and if it has a need, step into that void.

Do not wait to be drafted into community service. America Enlist.