From 1776 to 1783, Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called, “American Crisis”, to inspire our young nation’s citizens to keep fighting for freedom. General George Washington ordered its words read aloud to encourage his dispirited men on the battlefield.
“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 everything 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.”
When these phrases first appeared in the pages of the "Pennsylvania Journal", General Washington’s troops were encamped at McKonkey’s Ferry on the Delaware River opposite Trenton, New Jersey. In August, they had suffered humiliating defeats and lost New York City to British troops. Between September and December, 11,000 American volunteers gave up the fight and returned to their families. General Washington could foresee the destiny of a rebellion without an army if the rest of his men returned home when their service contracts expired on December 31. He knew that without an upswing in morale and a significant victory, the American Revolution would come to a swift and humiliating end with deadly consequences for many of those involved.
The men that Washington was speaking to gave their blood and since then, untold numbers of men and women have put their lives on the line to defend our precious God given gift of freedom.
To the Veterans now serving, and to those that have served, we stand with you. We thank you; and know that we will not easily relinquish the gift for which you have fought and died.
11 Nov 2020
