I remember my grandfather telling me about being a sand pebble in the great war. I remember stories about the great depression. I remember my dad telling me about Korea. While the stories in of themselves were often times tragic, I always felt a lump in my throat as I thought of the underpinnings of patriotism and heroism in those stories. Like most of the kids born in the 60’s I grew up with a G.I Joe, stood for the national anthem, and would punch anyone who said bad of my country.
As I reflect on these feelings I wonder what big story I may tell my grandchildren of America. I am saddened at the answer. Certainly I will have a tragic story, but what of the underpinnings of patriotism? What of the heroism? I fear those elements will be missing.
I will not bother to post links and facts about the president-elect. I don’t have to. First, because the information has been readily available for a very long time. Second, because it would seem that the average American doesn’t care about the facts any ways.
Yea, I know, I’m being mellow dramatic. I’m being silly. I don’t think so. I was raised to believe the President should be the nations greatest patriot, staunchest supporter, and best leader. Sadly, we elected someone who is none of those.
Much like a scene from a futuristic science-fiction movie, I can envision telling my grandchild of a time when we had freedom and rights. Of a time when we could own guns freely, and say what we believed what was right.
Clearly, the final page of the book of life of America is being written in our generation. I see no Patrick Henry or George Washington stepping up this time. No Ben Franklin or Thomas Jefferson. No tea in the harbour or whiskey rebellion.
Predictions? None for the next 4 years, but plenty for the rest of my generation. I see a systematic dismantling of our national sovereignty. I see mass gun confiscations. I see an end to parental rights. I see a curtailing of free speech. I see imprisonment for those who object. I see a massive collapse of our economy.
Alexis de Tocqueville is generally attributed as having said:
“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerc - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it vas not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”
Today, America has turned her back on the countless millions who dies to preserve her greatness. In doing so, she has ceased to be great. It is in her ceasing to be great she has ceased to live.
Lincoln so eloquently stated:
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked…” Revelation 3:17
Rest In Peace, America.
