We stand on the shoulders of great men.
It was Christmas Day 1776, George Washington’s militias had just experienced a staggering defeat on Long Island against the British Army and their German army for hire, the Hessian mercenaries. Month after month, battle after battle the same forces keep pushing Washington’s men further into retreat. After many lost battles the cause for independence was almost extinguished. He started this crusade with 28,000 soldiers and returned to Pennsylvania with 2,400 demoralized men, losing 90% in war or desertion. He knew he must act quickly in order to save the cause for independence. That very evening he determined to attack the German mercenaries occupying Trenton, NJ. He stated to his men, “Victory or Death” would be their motto and then proceeded to read a letter sent to him from Thomas Paine a month previous.
“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
Washington was determined to salvage this effort. He hoped a victory would boost morale and encourage others to join the cause. It was a bitter cold night crossing the Delaware River, ice clang against the bow and sleet pounding their faces. The men had not eaten or sleep in the last 48 hours. As they landed many of the men’s feet were bleeding, frostbitten from no shoes, wrapped in gunnysacks. They proceeded to march 4 hours, several miles to prepare for their attack. It was early morning, it was so cold and bitter the Germans didn’t post guard, thinking no sane army would attack on a night such as this. Washington’s embattled men overwhelmed the Germans that morning achieving a victory and this turned the war around to favor the colonialists.
So the lesson here is we will get weary, discouraged and fatigued in our fight against evil, our fight to recapture and preserve our liberty. When this happens, look down at your feet, remember the great price our forefathers endured to provide us with the precious gift of liberty. We stand on the shoulders of great men who understood liberty was a gift from our Creator. We still have boots on our feet. If we have Almighty God with us, we will achieve victory to save our country. God bless each of you. I consider it an honor fighting with my fellow patriots to preserve liberty for our posterity. Whose shoulders will our children stand upon? I pray it will be our generation.
May God bless you and these United States.