Peacefulness enhanced surroundings with the absence of hundreds of visitors normally present, while realizing I was no longer cold, even though weather threatened snow. At the "Prologue Room", I was compelled to stop, cogitate, and attempt to consider what it must have been like to live during the years this President served our nation. I thought about stories shared by parents, read in books, or learned in school, but still I could not fathom hiding my wheels for fear of "a sign of weakness" to others.

Around each corner of the five rooms depicting the twelve years President Roosevelt served was another reminder of the past. Quiet breathtaking alcoves gave birth to waterfalls, remindful of the history of Polio, and therapy connected with the illness, which ultimately created the need for President Roosevelt to use wheels for "walking" while indoors, and aides on each side of him when in public's eye. It sadden me to grasp the idea of hiding a disability, but well over sixty-years ago, we were in the middle of World War II, and the emphasis was placed on "strength". Then, people with disabilities were considered "weak"; but President Roosevelt was not about to be held back.

Twenty-one quotations made by President Roosevelt are carved into granite walls, allowing no visitor to forget his famous words, and perseverance to accomplish his tasks. Photography taken by David Killough provides this glimpse into history and famous words spoken from the wisdom of President Roosevelt, of which we should all live by as strong Americans. Here are only seventeen of his philosophical quotes I personally believe would make a difference in society, if only we as part of society would come to grips with unity.