Freedom is never more than one generation away
from extinction.
We didn't pass it to our children in the
bloodstream.
It must be fought for, protected, and handed
on for them to do the same.
–Ronald Regan
40th President of the U.S.
The temperature was in the mid 80s (29C) on its way to 107 (41.6C)
the morning before this 4th of July long weekend.
“Have a great day honey.” She kissed the little girl and was
off to her day.
I had finished lifting weights and was waiting for
Molly to end something called ‘Boot Camp’ - something to do with using a lot of different muscles in
a variety of exercise activities. I had
taken a chair in the lobby of the YMCA and just started reading a book on my phone,
when at table a few feet in front of me began registering children for the YMCA
Day Camp.
It was a freezing
winter’s night…Christmas Eve to be more correct that accounted for part of this
weekend’s celebration. It is hard to
imagine during this time of year what it must have been like to be losing the
war and feeling like there was no hope, because for those soldiers, on that
night it must have felt like the last gasp of what appeared to be a losing
cause.
They came in tee shirts and jeans and shorts and tennis
shoes…some with socks and some without, all clutching a bag or backpack with
the things they would need for the day.
Some clung closely to their parents, others stood a bit aloof, kind of
like they were embarrassed to be with the adult member of their families. Without exception, however, there was the
conflicting look in their eyes of excitement and a bit of uncertainty for what
was to come.
There were supposed to
be 5,400 troops in the surprise attack of the heavily fortified city, but 3,000
missed arriving at the appointed time, leaving a group of 2,400 freezing cold
soldiers who had crossed the half frozen river at 11PM and marched all night –
poorly equipped, hungry and tired.
A few of the adults took the lead and moved their charges along
in line. For others, however, the child enthusiastically
engaged their parent in a ‘hurry up…let’s get going’ dance. Once hugs, pats on the head or quick kisses
on the cheek were done, the adults turned to leave for the day as the kids
headed down the hall.
The attack began at
8AM, completely surprising the German forces that held the heavily fortified
town. Swiftly, Trenton was taken with
the loss of only four Americans and the capture of nearly 1,000 enemy.
The parent’s expressions transformed immediately as they
changed the channels of their internal hard drives and appeared to focus on the
day ahead. It felt like, “Okay, that’s
off the list…next?!” One could imagine
as they left the building to get in their cars for the day, they were considering
what they would do and where they might go on the long holiday weekend.
While from a strategic
point of view, the victory at Trenton was not so important, winning that
battle may have been a turning point for the morale of the Continental Army
contributing to the ultimate American victory.
Winning against the British had never been guaranteed; in fact for many
in the colonies, fighting the greatest power in the world was a fools errand.
The kids? Without
exception they had that contradictory look of excitement and a bit of
uncertainty for what was to come. There
was little doubt, however, they were not changing channels. The YMCA network was on their internal television
screens and there it would stay until the end of the day.
The children had a structured day of play and the parents a
chance to prepare for a weekend. The
next day began the 4th of July, in this country...a time to gather
friends and family together, eat food, drink ice tea, soda pop, beer and watch
some fireworks to top it all off.
While the declaration
of Independence is celebrated on July 4th, the day it was approved
by the Continental Congress, the document was not signed until August 22nd,
with a number of signers adding their names at a later date...the formal treaty not signed until seven years later at the Treaty of Paris, September 3rd, 1783.
So this weekend we celebrate our freedom, living in a
country that was born from an idea…no oligarchy…no tyrant…no powerful family,
but an idea. The idea that men and women
should have the opportunity for self-determination, that children should be
able to grow up safely and be educated, that each of us in our own way should
have the freedom to pursue happiness.
This country, for its many faults, hypocrisies, violence, and self-indulgences,
still, in the balance of world humanity, is a beacon of freedom and
opportunity.
There is another thing about this country that draws people
from all over the world, and that is the opportunity to imagine something and
from that imagination bring to life an idea.
It is not that other people in other places do not have imagination, but
the petri dish of the American experiment permits one to see what could be, and
despite obstacles, bring it into being.
We are a country of forward-looking people, people of all races,
nationalities, cultures and religions…
This could not have been better demonstrated than
Washington’s taking of Trenton New Jersey on that Christmas Eve, when it appeared
to most Americans that the British would win the war. That Christmas Eve was December of 1776;
months AFTER the declaration had been ratified (July 4th) and signed
(August 22nd). On paper, the
war was lost…in the minds of Washington and others? Not while they still had breath…not while the
idea was still burning in their breasts!
We…our children…have much to be grateful this weekend
holiday. While the kids play and we
watch the ‘safe bombshells’ of fireworks displays, others in other places are
not so secure…the bombshells they see – not so safe.
Let us be mindful that then as now, our freedom has come at
a price - from the freezing cold of America’s birth and every other time and place
we have found those so dedicated to the ‘ideas’ that birthed this great nation,
they have been willing to sacrifice all.
So while we are a people of ‘forward lookers,’ let us look back for a
moment to be thankful for cold winter nights and the strength of an idea.
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