Patriotic Challenge: Read a New Story of American Heroism Every Day in July

You can rediscover famous leaders whom modern leftists deride. George Washington, the “Father of our Country,” was the indispensable man in the American Revolution, at the Constitutional Convention, and as our first president. Alexander Hamilton went from wartime hero to a brilliant and capable first secretary of the Treasury. Benjamin Franklin was already an acclaimed inventor and writer when he played a key political role in American independence. James Monroe fought for liberty as a very young man and, as president, defined America’s Western Hemisphere policy. John Adams, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Caesar Rodney, James Madison, Henry Knox, Molly Pitcher, Sybil Ludington, George Mason, and Nathanael Greene are just a few of the Founding/Revolutionary generation who need popular rehabilitation.

And, of course, since the dawn of our Republic, there have been many other heroes also unfairly smeared. John Quincy Adams fought for civil rights and integrity in government against powerful odds. Abraham Lincoln, the “Great Emancipator,” ended slavery and brought the Union intact out of the bloodiest war in American history. U.S. Grant fought against racial violence and for civil rights both on the battlefield and in the White House. Booker T. Washington combined trade school and university in a brilliant educational model we should re-adopt widely. Frederick Douglass went from slave to acclaimed orator to government official, fighting to realize the Declaration of Independence’s ideals. George Patton battled genocidal enemies and deadly incompetent colleagues with ferocity, patriotism, and wildly successful efficiency. Ronald Reagan took down the Soviet Union and brought morning again to America. James Stewart gave up a spectacular, Oscar-winning movie career to join the U.S. military during WWII. Rush Limbaugh reinvented media and inspired multiple generations of Americans to reform our nation. John Paul Jones, Harriet Tubman, Oliver H. Perry, John Barry, Charles Sumner, William T. Sherman, Philip Sheridan, Alvin York, John Basilone, Sam Alito, and Clarence Thomas are other admirable patriots to study.

Then there are less known heroes and heroines. John Fitzgerald immigrated from Ireland to America, joined the Revolution, and became Washington’s favorite aide. Stephen Moylan, another Irish immigrant, is credited with being the first person to call our nation the “United States of America.” James Armistead Lafayette was a slave who became a Patriot double agent and influenced the outcome of the American Revolution. Teenager Samuel Fletcher lied about his age so he could fight in the Union Army, and survived a shot to the face and an infamous POW encampment. John Callender was cashiered from the Continental Army for cowardice and, after re-enlisting, impressed even the British with his courage under fire. Elijah Anderson was such a successful Underground Railroad conductor that racists imprisoned and likely murdered him. William Trimble stood down a horde of Confederate enslavers at Harpers Ferry with just his own gun to save a group of free black men from slavery.

For Our VIPs: Celebrate July 4 With Patriotic Fervor and Enthusiasm

WWII Marine Mitchell Paige fought thousands of Japanese soldiers by himself until reinforcements arrived. James Baskett and Hattie McDaniel became the first black actors to win Oscars. Joe Medicine Crow was the last Crow war chief, named so for his service during WWII. Robert O’Neill took out terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden.

You can start with my list above in your research, or make your own. But please keep in mind how important it is for a nation, like a man, to remember its past. An excellent history professor of mine once said, “Modern man is Jason Bourne. He doesn’t know who he was, so he does not know either who he is or where he’s going.” Amnesia can impact and destroy whole nations just as it destroys individuals. To save our country, we first have to understand and celebrate our past.