The Heart Of Patriots
A Tale Of Two Americans
By J.R. Clarke
It is the Middle of winter. The wind is howling through the trees. The snow is falling heavily. There is ten to twelve inches of whiteness upon the frozen hard ground . The temperature is about fifteen degrees. There are bloody footprints everywhere and there are some apart from many others leading up to a giant dead oak tree that had fallen in years past. Two men, best friends almost like brothers are childhood buddies crouched down and close together. They take refuge behind the old giant oak. A long way off in the distant background is the sound of the enemy’s canon fire that echos through the forest just barley loud enough to tell what it is. Small arms fire ricochet all around them. One even hits the old tree and a big piece of dead wood flies off of it almost hitting one of the two men! Russell says, Lord have mercy on us! That was a close one John! You can't afford to loose your other ear, your damn hat wont stay on, desperately trying to cheer his friend up but it didn't work .
The dog tired battle weary men had just completed over fifty miles of marching and fighting. The battle is finally dieing down. They had been marching and fighting for over eight days with little or no rest or food. Now at this place called Valley Forge a familiar voice comes from a tall man dressed in blue riding upon a beautiful white horse. His voice rings out, well done men...! Very well done! God bless you all. The canons can't be heard now. All gun fire has stopped. The voice that was heard was that of General George Washington. As he puts himself in harms way re-a shoring his troops. The two men... Russell and John relax a bit. Russell says to John... You OK buddy? Ya, I'm OK i reckon... My left ear stings a bit... That damn Red Coat's bullet took more than half my ear off. Good thing you still have those sewing needles your wife gave ya! How about the big hole in your shoulder? Is it feeling any better? It's been almost two weeks now...I'll make it, Russell says... If God wants me too! Shoot, John says... I know he wants both of us too... Hey Russell! I really can't remember why we started this war!
Was it just because we didn't want any more of there damned ole nasty tea? Hell brother! I don't even like tea. Give me coffee any day... All i know is I'm freezing to death and haven't eaten for five or maybe six days. My boots gave out last summer. I wrapped my feet with my last piece of underwear but there still bleeding everywhere! Your even worse off then I am! John replied...Yes, Russell said... My coat is full of holes. I can't feel my feet anymore. I think there frost bit! I can't hold my rifle because my hands are so darn cold and my brain can't even think straight anymore... Help me Russ, Help me remember why were here! Russell replies... I can't help you buddy. I can't even help myself but I know who can... Russell then puts his arm around his best friends shoulder and begins to pray. Dear father in Heaven. We have come so far in this righteous fight. Please help us both to remember why we are laying our lives down for you and this idea of freedom and self rule... We both pledged! “Give me liberty or give me death”... Death looks comforting right now! Lord forgive us for our self pity right now! Show us the way Lord and we will follow you to our last dying breath... We have already given everything else... We know you have provided us this land... Now, all we have is this land and it is up to us to hold it. We pray you will give us the strength and wisdom to do this task you have given us. Thank you father... In Jesus name , Amen.
My good friend. I remember why we fight and have to win. It is not just for us but who will come after us. All of them! There must be a free place... A country! “A shining city on a hill”. One without a King! A self ruling people... Good people... Folks lead by Gods laws... “For the people and by the people”. Men who stand up in times of trouble... True Freedom! Each person is in charge of his or her own destiny and happiness. Not by government but how hard they work for it. One man, one vote.. Not mob rule, but by a righteous republic with checks and balances. Common rights from God himself and justice for all... Amen... Americans! We will also take an oath to teach our children that the bloodshed here on this battlefield or any other place in the world will be fought with honor and true patriotism for our Star Spangled Banner. We fight for these principles that we may set captives free of evil and tyranny... We will always do that my friend... “In God we trust”! May God bless this new America... Then John says. Thank you my good friend. Now i do remember and I will stand with you always... Russell reply’s... I am also with you my friend! Here is to liberty and a new land to build on... Oh yea! An just like you said... Screw the King and his damned ole tea!
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