My late great uncle used to recite The Gettysburg Address when we visited him in Cuba.  He called it the greatest speech delivered by a democratically elected leader.  He was a great admirer of rhetoric and President Lincoln.

We will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the address this month.  Yet, President Obama is not planning to attend:

"Officials at Gettysburg National Military Park said Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will represent the administration the Nov. 19 sesquicentennial. 

Jewell and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James McPherson will share the role of keynote speaker.

Other events include a reading of the Gettysburg address by a Lincoln portrayer. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett also plans to attend the ceremony. 

Lincoln delivered the immortal words of the address at a dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery on Nov. 19, 1863, more than four months after the Civil War's pivotal battle.

More than 3,500 Union soldiers killed in the Battle of Gettysburg are buried there."

Frankly, this is appalling.  We are talking about the 150th anniversary of one of the key moments in US history.

So why won't President Obama attend the ceremony?  What else is on his schedule that day?  Hard to believe that he does not have a morning or afternoon free to attend the events.

Our kids need to learn more about US history. It would be helpful if the President of the US would show more respect for the speech and the men buried there.

P. S. You can hear CANTO TALK here & follow me on Twitter @ scantojr.