oldswabbie
07-04-2008, 10:16 AM
All it takes to feel the enormity of what lay ahead for the “rebels” is for you to walk any of the many Revolutionary War Battlegrounds. As a Country we are now 232 years old, a proverbial drop in the bucket compared to some that exist or have existed. But yet we are unique in that in such short a time no Country has had such a positive impact on the history of the World as The United States. It is conservatively estimated that the United States has helped to Liberate over 1 Billion people in its short history.
In a time back in the Mid 1770’s…Backwoods farmers, merchants and mostly unskilled men took up arms against the most powerful nation in the world at that time. Americans (as they started calling themselves) always seemed to have that “Grit” about them, that indomitable Spirit that says “I’m going to do this and there’s nothing you can do to stop me”.
These men who initially grabbed flintlocks and marched off to war had no idea what they were about to face – but when they faced the enemy, they fought him with courage and determination. We’ve fought so many wars and battles since those days at Bunker Hill, Yorktown, Cowpens. Battles such as Musgrove Mill on the Enoree River in South Carolina where American Colonel Elijah Clark and his 200 men fought over 400+ men (over 200 British Regulars. British Losses were 63, American losses were only 4. Even though they knew they were outnumbered by a superiorly trained force, Colonel Clark knew his men Could and Would fight…and fight they did and carried the day.
What of those brave men at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania in one of the coldest Winters on record during 1777-1778? The British were quartered in Philadelphia warm and snug, the Patriots were dying and were almost to the point of breaking in the hills outside the city. I’ve walked the grounds of that site quite extensively and can’t imagine over 5,000 men camping in that area and trying to somehow survive long enough to thaw out and fight.
We’ve all heard a lot about Patriotism. What is a Patriot? Do you have to “Do” something to Prove you are a Patriot? Can you stick a flag on your house or car and say “I’m Patriotic”? Patriotism defined is simple. Being a Patriot means that you truly love your Country. It is not a sudden outburst of emotion guided by some event. Its shown and evidenced by a life lived in service to one’s County and its ideals.
I will say it Once again ~ We (every one of us) owe these men and women and debt that cannot be repaid. They decided Freedom was worth the price ~ any price other than the bondage they were under…even their life, which was given by the Thousands. The echo’s of those Cannon’s have long since quelled, but the cries of Freedom will continue on forever in the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.
May God Bless the United States of America. May God Bless ALL of our Troops wherever they may be and watch over them and protect them. May God Bless our President.
OldSwabbie
In a time back in the Mid 1770’s…Backwoods farmers, merchants and mostly unskilled men took up arms against the most powerful nation in the world at that time. Americans (as they started calling themselves) always seemed to have that “Grit” about them, that indomitable Spirit that says “I’m going to do this and there’s nothing you can do to stop me”.
These men who initially grabbed flintlocks and marched off to war had no idea what they were about to face – but when they faced the enemy, they fought him with courage and determination. We’ve fought so many wars and battles since those days at Bunker Hill, Yorktown, Cowpens. Battles such as Musgrove Mill on the Enoree River in South Carolina where American Colonel Elijah Clark and his 200 men fought over 400+ men (over 200 British Regulars. British Losses were 63, American losses were only 4. Even though they knew they were outnumbered by a superiorly trained force, Colonel Clark knew his men Could and Would fight…and fight they did and carried the day.
What of those brave men at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania in one of the coldest Winters on record during 1777-1778? The British were quartered in Philadelphia warm and snug, the Patriots were dying and were almost to the point of breaking in the hills outside the city. I’ve walked the grounds of that site quite extensively and can’t imagine over 5,000 men camping in that area and trying to somehow survive long enough to thaw out and fight.
We’ve all heard a lot about Patriotism. What is a Patriot? Do you have to “Do” something to Prove you are a Patriot? Can you stick a flag on your house or car and say “I’m Patriotic”? Patriotism defined is simple. Being a Patriot means that you truly love your Country. It is not a sudden outburst of emotion guided by some event. Its shown and evidenced by a life lived in service to one’s County and its ideals.
I will say it Once again ~ We (every one of us) owe these men and women and debt that cannot be repaid. They decided Freedom was worth the price ~ any price other than the bondage they were under…even their life, which was given by the Thousands. The echo’s of those Cannon’s have long since quelled, but the cries of Freedom will continue on forever in the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.
May God Bless the United States of America. May God Bless ALL of our Troops wherever they may be and watch over them and protect them. May God Bless our President.
OldSwabbie