And in my own life in my own small way I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.

No matter what age you are or what your circumstances might be you are special and you still have something unique to offer. Your life because of who you are has meaning.

The great secret that all old people share is that you really haven't changed in seventy or eighty years. Your body changes but you don't change at all. And that of course causes great confusion.