SwiftVets.com

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PATRIOTS DAY INSIGHT
"Don't fire unless fired upon. But if they want a war let it begin here." —Captain John Parker at the Battle of Lexington ++

"The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth." —Thomas Paine ++

"We know the Race is not to the swift nor the Battle to the Strong. Do you not think an Angel rides in the Whirlwind and directs this Storm?" —John Page ++

Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!"—George Washington ++

"The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations... This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution."—John Adams ++

"Patriotism itself is a necessary link in the golden chains of our affections and virtue."—Stephen Decatur ++

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."—Thomas Jefferson ++

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"—Patrick Henry

PATRIOTS DAY 2006
"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, 'What should be the reward of such sacrifices?' Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, supplicate the friendship, and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!"—Samuel Adams




In honor of those brave Patriots who, on April 19th, 1775, at Lexington and Concord, fired the opening volley for American liberty—and those Patriots who continue in that tradition today, shouldering the burden of American liberty, particularly those on the warfront with Jihadistan.

By the Spring of 1775, the Massachusetts Colony was preparing for conflict with the Royal authority over taxation without representation. The colonial authorities had become oppressive, and American Patriots were prepared to cast off their masters.

On the eve of 18 April, 1775, General Thomas Gage, military governor of Massachusetts, dispatched a force from Boston to confiscate weapons stored in the village of Concord, and to capture Patriot rebels Samuel Adams and John Hancock, reported to be in Lexington. But Patriots had anticipated this raid.

Paul Revere had arranged for advance warning, and though he was captured, Patriot allies William Dawes and Samuel Prescott continued their midnight ride for twenty-two miles from Boston's Old North Church to Concord and warned militiamen along the way.

As dawn arrived on 19 April 1775, between 50 and 70 militiamen came to the town green at Lexington to confront the British column. When a few links away from the militia column, the British officer swung his sword, and said, "Lay down your arms, you damned rebels, or you are all dead men. Fire!" Several Patriots were killed and wounded, but none had been ordered to return fire.

However, when the British arrived at Concord's Old North Bridge, American "Minutemen" fired the "shot heard round the world" as Emerson notes above.

That was the beginning of an eight-year struggle for American independence, a beginning we honor as Patriots Day.


Concord Hymn
Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, are sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

[dusty]

Good reminder powsmias. I sent it around my circle. We need to be reminded of these things far more often methinks.

Dusty
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Left and Wrong are the opposite of Right!

[baldeagle]

We might also should remember, (in light of recent events) that today, (the 21st) is the 170th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto?
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"In a word, I want an American character, that the powers of Europe may be convinced we act for ourselves and not for others; this, in my judgment, is the only way to be respected abroad and happy at home." --George Washington

[USAFE5]

a very solid date in history. A birth pain for the Republic of Texas
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"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I’m here to help." Ronald Reagan