Obama Calls On Americans To Serve

President-elect Barack Obama is appearing in public service announcements on television and radio in which he calls on Americans to engage in greater service to their country.

"America's greatness was not crafted in skyscrapers alone, but on the ground by those who could see what needed to be done," Mr. Obama says in the television spot, "Step Forward." "Volunteers who in service stepped forward onto the dust of the moon, a levee in the heartland, the marble steps of a dream."

"You may ask yourself: 'Where's my moon, my levee, my dream?,'" he continues. "Well, it's here, with you. Step forward. Help renew America. At USAService.org."

You can also listen to the radio spot, "Chapter," here.

USAService.org is the web site of the "Renew America Together" initiative, which will kick off on Jan. 19th, the day before Mr. Obama is sworn in as president. It is being promoted by Gen. Colin Powell.

"President-elect Obama believes each of us, as Americans, has a responsibility to do what we can for our communities and fellow citizens," Presidential Inaugural Committee Communications Director Josh Earnest said in the release. "We've launched USAService.org to connect volunteer organizations with Americans in their community and make it easier to serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and beyond."

CBS Television and Radio is among the media companies that have agreed to donate time and space for the PSAs to run.

UPDATE: Michelle Obama has also recorded a video: