A 13-year-old from New Hampshire who spoke at the Democratic National Convention about his stuttering recited part of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address on Wednesday night at President Biden’s inaugural celebration.
“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been given the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger, I do not back down from that responsibility. I welcome that. I don’t believe that any of us will switch places with anyone else or any other generation, ”recited Brayden Harrington.
“The energy, the faith, the devotion that we bring to this endeavor will illuminate our country and all who serve it. And the glow of that fire can really light up the world. And so, my fellow Americans, don’t ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. “
Proud to have Brayden Harrington join us to recite President Kennedy’s powerful words. As our new @POTUS, Brayden leads with the power of his speech.# Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/BWQ3RnZkMN
– Inaugural Biden Committee (@BidenInaugural) January 21, 2021
In August 2020, in a speech at the predominantly virtual DNC, Harrington described meeting Biden at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire that February and the relationship with the then candidate about their respective stutters.
Harrington added that the former vice president showed him his notes on his own prepared speeches and how he marked them to make them easier to deliver.
“He told me that we were members of the same club: We stutter. It was really amazing to hear that someone like me became vice president, ”said Harrington.