I.

This is a mind palace. We’ll be memorizing Eisenhower’s farewell address. Each sentence will have a mind palace scene associated with it. Let’s roll.

My fellow Americans: Three days from now, after half a century in the service of our country, I shall lay down the responsibilities of office as, in a traditional and solemn ceremony, the authority of the presidency is vested in my successor.

“Three days from now…”

A giant calendar floats in the air with a red circle three days from now

“…After half a century…”

I notice Eisenhower carrying a heavy metal with the number 50 (half a century)

“…In the service of our country…”

He fixes the light bulb of an American citizen's home

“…I shall lay down the responsibilities of office…”

Eisenhower tucks in a key with the tag "responsibilities of office."

“…as in traditional and solemn ceremony, …”

possible pause que (look down and read?)

“…the authority of the presidency is vested in my successor.”

The successor (JFK) puts on the snug "authority of presidency" vest. 

This evening, I come to you with a message of leave-taking and farewell, and to share a few final thoughts with you, my countrymen.

“This evening…”

Its getting dark out. 

“…I come to you with a message of leave-taking and farewell…”

Eisenhower reading a letter labeled MESSAGE, and two bags around him with one labeled "LEAVE-TAKING" and the other labeled, "FAREWELL."

“…And to share a few final thoughts with you, my countrymen.”

He's writing on a chalkboard in front of him writing "a few final thoughts," and he moves out of the way to share with the audience--His "countrymen"

Like every other citizen, I wish the new President, and all who will labor with him, Godspeed. I pray that the coming years will be blessed with peace and prosperity for all. 

“Like every other citizen…”

Eisenhower in a crowd labeled "Citizens."

“…I wish the new President, and all who will labor with him, Godspeed.”

JFK climbing into a car labeled "president," surrounded by workers helping push it forward. Eisenhower calls out "GODSPEED!" as the vehicle leaves.

“I pray that the coming years will be blessed with peace and prosperity for all.”

Eisenhower bows his head in prayer. A thought bubble appears, and in it are stacks of calendars being tossed down year by year, and each stamped with the label, "BLESSED WITH PEACE AND PROSPERITY." And many hands come to grab the calendars because they're FOR ALL. 

Our people expect their President and the Congress to find essential agreement on issues of great moment, the wise resolution of which will better shape the future of the nation. 

“Our people expect their President and the Congress…”

A group labeled "OUR PEOPLE," staring expectantly at their PRESIDENT (JFK) and CONGRESS.

“…to find essential agreement on issues of great moment…”

The President and Congress ESSENTIALLY shake hands (agree) across the table. Between them is a huge glowing puzzle piece labeled "ISSUES OF GREAT MOMENT."

“…the wise resolution of which will better shape the future of the nation.”

After the handshake on the "WISE RESOLUTION," (as a person) appears and better shapes the dough labeled "FUTURE OF THE NATION." 

My own relations with the Congress, which began on a remote and tenuous basis when, long ago, a member of the Senate appointed me to West Point, have since ranged to the intimate during the war and immediate post-war period, and, finally, to the mutually interdependent during these past eight years. 

“My own relations with the Congress…”

Eisenhower having thanksgiving dinner (relations) with Congress. 

“…which began on a remote and tenuous basis…”

(This means distant and weak.)

Flashbacks of when Eisenhower BEGAN to meet Congress on the REMOTE and TENUOUS BASE of the playground

“…when, long ago, a member of the Senate appointed me to West Point…”

(This is actually a historical reference: Eisenhower entered United States Military Academy at West Point after receiving an appointment from a senator.)

Flashback to Eisenhower LONG AGO. A map appears, and a member of the Senate APPOINTS him to WEST POINT, circled red on the map. 

“…have since ranged to the intimate during the war and immediate post-war period…”

Fast forward through the RANGE of the relationship w/ Congress. It grows to INTIMATE during WAR and IMMEDIATE POST-WAR PERIOD.

“…and, finally, to the mutually interdependent during these past eight years.”

(This refers to his presidency (1953–1961).)

FINALLY in the present again. Eisenhower and Congress are working a giant machine together (as MUTUAL friends) labeled "Government." It only works if they both press the buttons (INTERDEPENDENCE). They've been working on it DURING THESE past EIGHT years. 

In this final relationship, the Congress and the Administration have, on most vital issues, cooperated well, to serve the national good rather than mere partisanship, and so have assured that the business of the Nation should go forward. So my official relationship with the Congress ends in a feeling, on my part, of gratitude that we have been able to do so much together. 

“In this final relationship…”

Eisenhower and Congress stand at the end of a path together. Its the FINAL RELATIONSHIP. Behind them are the earlier forms of their relationship. 

“…the Congress and the Administration have, on most vital issues, cooperated well…”

Congress and Administration carry a heavy box labeled "MOST VITAL ISSUES," and cooperate well to move it. 

“…to serve the national good rather than mere partisanship…”

(This is basically: working for the country instead of political fighting.)

Congress and the Administration serve pancakes to the "NATIONAL GOOD," rather than serving MERE PARTISANSHIP.

“…and so have assured that the business of the Nation should go forward.”

Congress and Administration nodding/ASSURING that the train labeled "BUSINESS OF THE NATION should forward. 

“So my official relationship with the Congress ends in a feeling, on my part…”

Back to the end of the path. Eisenhower can still be friends, but his OFFICIAL relationship with Congress ends. Eisenhower gets emotional with a feeling. 

“…of gratitude that we have been able to do so much together.”

A feeling of GRATITUDE appears. Eisenhower looks back on how they have been able to do so much together.