Obama Plagiarizes Lincoln's Condolence Letter

A recent story broke about the father of a fallen Marine who was upset by a condolence letter received from Barack Obama...four months after the death of his son.  The letter is a form letter, which the Administration has sent to the families of other fallen soldiers.  Impersonal and delayed form letters to the parents of fallen heroes are bad enough, but it looks like Obama has actually ripped off much of the language, tone and sentiment of Abraham Lincoln's 1864 letter to Mrs. Bixby.

Below you can find each letter in its entirety. Similar phrases and/or sentiments are highlighted. You be the judge.

Lincoln Letter

"Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln"

Obama Letter

"Dear _________,

I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of your son, ____________, USMC. Our Nation will not forget his sacrifice, and we can never repay our debt to your family.

A simple letter cannot ease the pain of losing a child, but I hope you take solace in knowing that his brave service exceeded all measures of selflessness and devotion to this country. We honor him not only as a guardian of our liberty, but also as the true embodiment of America's spirit of service to a cause greater than ourselves.

Michelle and I offer our heartfelt sympathy, and pray that God's grace gives you comfort as you grieve. In life, your son was a shining example of all that is best in our land. In rest, may he find the peace we all seek.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama"

While Lincoln's letter was unique to Mrs. Bixby, Obama's letter is sent as a form letter to families of fallen soldiers - 4 months late, apparently. Lincoln's letter has heart-felt sentiment and is backed by the historical context of Lincoln's love of this country and its soldiers. Obama's letter is betrayed by his seeming apathy and lack of respect for our military. Lincoln hand-wrote his letter; Obama simply signed his. One can dispute these points, but on top of all of the disrespectful aspects of this form letter, Obama didn't even write it; Lincoln did (and much better than Obama).