This might make a few of my friends mad, I hope not, but that’s up to them. Either way, I think it’s time to say something. I can’t speak for anyone else, so this is just my own opinion, and my own resolve, but you can take it to the bank as to where I stand.

The country is in one big mess, no doubt. I’m just about broke, and don’t expect to ever again gather any meaningful wealth. I guess I’m at that point in life where we all have to admit that our health and energy will just go downhill from here. I’m single, divorced, and I guess I’ll stay that way. I just can’t see inflicting any woman with a mate as unqualified as myself. I will never own another new car, or buy another house. I’m a renter with limited income, limited intelligence, and I’m old and tired.

But above all else, I’m thankful. I thank God that I live in America! I thank God that I have an opportunity to stand up for my country in her hour of need… to stand up for freedom, and for the future of my children and my Grandchildren. Thank you Heavenly Father, for all of this! And yes, I do mean all of it. Thank you for every trial and challenge I have encountered in life from birth, right down to the blind and ignorant internet liberals who think themselves wise, though they follow a well-trod path to bondage.

In 1776, as the decimated Continental Army limped across New Jersey, America was seemingly but a fading dream surviving only in the hearts of George Washington and a few others. It looked to any with reason, including British General William Howe, that all was lost. Howe decided the Americans were so beaten that he would just put his troops in winter quarters at Trenton, and easily finish Washington’s Army off in the spring.

Washington had just been soundly beaten, he had no money from Congress, scant munitions, sick, wounded, and starving troops, many of whom wore rags on their feet for shoes, and all in the midst of a bitter cold winter. They should have made camp and dug in to lick their wounds shouldn’t they? Isn’t that what we would do? Considering all the defeatist talk, whining, and bickering among ourselves, we sure as hell wouldn’t have faced the enemy yet again would we?

Well, I thank God again my friends. This time, I offer thanks to God for giving us his Excellency George Washington. Washington recognized that the dream for American Independence was on the cusp of extinction, so he wrote in a letter to John Hancock, that he was inclined to “strike some stroke.” …And as sure as God is on his throne, “strike some stroke” they did! Against all odds, our brave forebears drug themselves, weak and bleeding, across the ice-choked Delaware on Christmas night, looking nothing like the romanticized painting of the event that has a bedecked Washington standing up in a small boat.

After crossing the Delaware, the troops moved on to Trenton marching against bitter cold wind driving sleet, snow, and ice against them. It was so cold that if a man stopped marching, he would freeze to death, and in fact, two men did. Hours behind schedule, they had lost their only advantage of darkness against the well-armed and disciplined Hessian Mercenaries who were warm, fed, and dug in at Trenton.

But our future first President (a real President), and the troops who were with him did what our troops always do… God Bless America’s troops! …they routed the Hessians, killing over a hundred, and taking over nine hundred prisoner. It was a small win strategically, but it was the turning point in the war for independence, and is the single most notable ensign of America’s determination to be free!

Please, find a good book about this important battle, and read it darn it! I recommend starting with 1776 by David McCullough. Read it, then read it again. Then next time any of us feel the urge to whine about how tough a spot we are in, or how we have given up on America, and are throwing in the towel, let’s hit ourselves over the head with it, then get on our knees and pray to God for forgiveness for dragging down those who enter the fray every day, not to decry defeat and their own disgust and weariness, but to renew their commitment that we will never give up… NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!

Giving up in the face of this enemy is not an option, and it is not a thought that can even enter my mind. It has no place there. I praise God for the blessings he has given me in my life, and I will die in His name before I will give up those blessings of liberty without a fight to the death. We have just begun to fight, if we are weary at this early stage of the contest for what is right, maybe we ought to go to bed and cover up. But if we are patriots, and if we love God, our families, and our Country, shake it off brothers and sisters, and let’s join this battle arm in arm like the proud Americans we are.

Wishing us all a happy 4th of July tomorrow, and signing off with God Bless America!