Let’s Do Something

During World War II, Joe Louis, the champion heavyweight boxer, was one of several celebrities scheduled to say a few words at a fund-raising rally for the Navy Relief Society. “I was nervous,” Louis said. “I didn’t know what to say. Somebody told me the President would be listening on the radio, so I especially wanted to get my speech off to a good start. Just before I was called up to the mike, I asked a friend sitting next to me how I ought to start off. He told me to say something upbeat about the war, like, ‘My fellow American’s God is on our side!’ As I walked up to the stage, I stumbled on the steps and…