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Fourth of July (1976) - Valley Forge, 7/4/76 (2)
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Fourth of July (1976) - Valley Forge, 7/4/76 (2)
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This file includes material relating to the passage of the Valley Forge National Park bill.
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John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)
John Marsh's Bicentennial Subject Files
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The original documents are located in Box 69, folder "Fourth of July (1976) - Valley Forge,
7/4/76 (2)" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 69 of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
VALLEY FORGE/DRAFT #5 /MARSH/JUNE 23
Valley Forge is another ground in Pennsylvania that we cannot
further dedicate nor hallow.
Those who died here did not die amid the sounds of battle,
rather they would succumb in the silent ordeal of winter. Yet their
courage and sacrifice and suffering were no less real, no less
meaningful than those who manned the battlements of Bunker Hill
or scaled the parapets of Yorktown.
They came here in the snows of winter in a trail that marked
an Army's march by the blood that came from rag-bound feet.
Here around fires of the winter camp was kept burning the light
of liberty. This was not a place of flying pennants or stirring
parades. Rather it was a place of enduring faith and constant prayer.
Something happened at Valley Forge. That ragged,
starving Army here emerged, and changed in a way that can be
sensed but not fully described.
FORD
CARALO
-2-
When the Winter of '77 gave way to the Spring of '78, its agony
and ordeal had left its mark on the Continental Army. Eleven
thousand had come here in the latter days of December. When the
Spring had melted the snows of Winter and the green had come to
the Pennsylvania countryside, four thousand of our forebearers
would sleep forever in the rolling hills of Valley Forge and become
a silent bivouca of the dead.
Under a summer sun in June the encampment ended and
Washington's army marched from Valley Forge, on a road that
was to take them to Yorktown and into the pages of American
history, unaware of the greatness they had done, oblivious to the
gratitude of posterity.
A pledge made by à tiny handful of men at Philadelphia of
their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor had been sustained.
VALLEY FORGE/DRAFT/MARSH/JUNE 23
Valley Forge is another ground in Pennsylvania that we cannot
further dedicate nor hallow.
Those who died here did not die amid the sounds of battle,
rather they would succumb in the silent ordeal of winter. Yet their
courage and sacrifice and suffering were no less real, no less
meaningful than those who manned the battlements of Bunker Hill
or scaled the parapets of Yorktown.
They came here in the snows of winter in a trail that marked
an Army's march by the blood that came from rag-bound feet.
Here around fires of the winter camp was kept burning the light
of liberty. This was not a place of flying pennants or stirring
parades. Rather it was a place of enduring faith and constant prayer.
Something happened at Valley Forge. That ragged, starving
Army here emerged, and changed in a way that can be sensed but
not fully described.
-2-
When the Winter of '77 gave way to the Spring of '78, its agony
and ordéal had left its mark on the Continental Army. Eleven
thousand had come here in' the latter days of December. When the
Spring had melted the snows of Winter and the green had come to
the Pennsylvania countryside, four thousand of our forebearers
would sleep forever in the rolling hills of Valley Forge and become
a silent bivouca of the dead.
Under a summer sun in June the encampment ended and
Washington's army marched from Valley Forge, on a road that
was to take them to Yorktown and into the pages of American
history, unaware of the greatness they had done, oblivious to the
gratitude of posterity.
A pledge made by a tiny handful of men at Philadelphia of
their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor had been sustained.
June 24, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DOUG SMITH
FROM:
JACK MARSH
In reference to the attached list, the President would like to have
for each event designated by an asterisek the date of the event and
the date the draft will be ready for his review.
JOM/dl
GERALD LIBRARY R. FORD
June 24, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DOUG SMITH
FROM:
JACK MARSH
In reference to the attached list, the President would like to have
for each event designated by an ashribek the date of the event and
the date the draft will be ready for his review.
JOM/dl
FORD s LIBRARY GERALD
June 24, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DOUG SMITH
FROM:
JACK MARSH
In reference to the attached list, the President would like to have
for each event designated by an astwrisk the date of the event and
the date the draft will be ready for his review.
JOM/dl
FORD i LIBRARY 9ERALD
June 24, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DOUG SMITH
FROM:
JACK MARSH
In reference to the attached list, the President would like to have
for each event designated by an astwritek the date of the event and
the date the draft will be ready for his review.
JOM/dl
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
DRAFT/VALLEY FORGE/MARSH/June 24
Valley Forge is another ground in Pennsylvania that we cannot
further dedicate nor hallow.
Those who died here did not die amid the sounds of battle. Their
ordeal was a silent one. Their adversary was hunger and the bitter
cold of winter. Yet their courage and sacrifice and suffering were no
less real, no less meaningful than those who manned the battlements
of Bunker Hill or scaled the parapets of Yorktown.
They came here in the snows and freezing rain of winter on a
trail that marked an Army's march by blood from rag-bound feet.
Here around fires of the winter camp was kep burning the light
of liberty. This was not a place of flying pennants or stirring parades.
Rather it was a place of enduring faith and constant prayer.
In the battle against despair their Commander kept freedom's
lonely vigil that winter. The Leader and the led drew strength from
one another as his character shaped the American Army.
-2-
Something happened at Valley Forge. That ragged, starving
Army here emerged and changed in a way that can be sensed but
not fully described.
When the Winter of '77 gave way to the Spring of '78, its agony
and ordeal had left its mark on the Continental Army. Eleven
thousand had come here in the latter days of December. When the
Spring had melted the snows of Winter and the green had come to the
Pennsylvania countryside, countless of our forebearers would
sleep forever in the rolling hills of Valley Forge and become a
silent bivouac of the dead.
Under a summer sun in June the encampment ended and
Washington's army marched from Valley Forge, on a road that
was to take them to Yorktown, and into the pages of American
history, unaware of the greatness they had done, oblivious to the
gratitude of posterity.
- -3-
And for us, they had made Valley Forge America's shrine
of quiet valor.
DRAFT/VALLEY FORGE/MARSH/June 24
Valley Forge is another ground in Pennsylvania that we cannot
further dedicate nor hallow.
Those who died here did not die amid the sounds of battle. Their
ordeal was a silent one. Their adversary was hunger and the bitter
cold of winter. Yet their courage and sacrifice and suffering were no
less real, no less meaningful than those who manned the battlements
of Bunker Hill or scaled the parapets of Yorktown.
They came here in the snows and freezing rain of winter on a
trail that marked an Army's march by blood from rag-bound feet.
Here around fires of the winter camp was keptburning the light
of liberty. This was not a place of flying pennants or stirring parades.
Rather it was a place of enduring faith and constant prayer.
In the battle against despair their Commander kept freedom's
lonely vigil that winter. The Leader and the led drew strength from
one another as his character shaped the American Army.
-2-
Something happened at Valley Forge. That ragged, starving
Army here emerged and changed in a way that can be sensed but
not fully described.
When the Winter of '77 gave way to the Spring of '78, its agony
and ordeal had left its mark on the Continental Army. Eleven
thousand had come here in the latter days of December. When the
Spring had melted the snows of Winter and the green had come to the
Pennsylvania countryside, countless of our forebearers would
1
sleep forever in the rolling hills of Valley Forge and become a
silent bivouac of the dead.
Under a summer sun in June the encampment ended and
Washington's army marched from Valley Forge, on a road that
was to take them to Yorktown, and into the pages of American
history, unaware of the greatness they had done, oblivious to the
gratitude of posterity.
&
FORD
-
-3-
And for us, they had made Valley Forge America's shrine
of quiet valor.
JYN 29 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date:
June 29
Time:
900am
FOR ACTION:
CC (for information):
George Humphreys
Jack
Max Friedersdorf
Jim Cavanaugh
Ken Lazarus
Ed Schmults
RAR
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date. June 29
Time: 500pm
SUBJECT:
H.R. 5621 - Establish Valley Forge National
Historical Park
ACTION REQUESTED:
FORD is 028870 LIBRAGE
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
hand delivered
REMARKS:
6/30 9:45A.m.
please return to judy johnston
This Bill is to be signed
to Accompany iN preparation take by
4 July At VAlley Forge. Statement
stops White for Bill to 90 with etc. Presidential
House writens. Please
PLEASE
ATTACH planty THIS COPY as TO well MATERIAL AS SUBMITTED. pens,
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
gm
delay in submitting the required material, please
James M. Cannon
For the President
June 28, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BOB HARTMANN
FROM:
JACK MARSH
SUBJECT:
Valley Forge Speech
Composite Draft #1)
At page two, I would omit all of the paragraphs relating to the 91
year old veteran. It seems to be a departure from the theme of the
message. It also seems rather tedious.
At page three, change "some four thousand" to "many of them"
since the exact number who died at Valley Forge cannot be deter-
mined.
At page six the last paragraph, the reference to the Constitution
is confusing inasmuch as prior to the adoptiong of the Constitution
they could not have known they would be governed under it.
On page eight find another word for "core."
JOM/dl
FORD is LIBRARY 076836
Composite Draft #1
June 24, 1976
SPEECH #4 - VALLEY FORGE
They came here in the snows of winter over a trail
marked with the blood of their rag-bound feet.
The iron forge that gave this place its name had been
destroyed by the British who occupied Philadelphia. Twice
General Washington led his ragged Continentals against them
with heavy losses before they encamped here, exhausted, out-
numbered and short of everything except faith.
Yet we gather here today, the 200th anniversary of
our independence, to celebrate its apparent defeat even
before we celebrate its glorious Declaration.
Americans will remember the name of Valley Forge as
long as the spirit of sacrifice illuminates their hearts.
Here the vein of iron in our national character was
forged.
As the world sees us, we Americans are so free and
so fortunate, we must also be self-indulgent and a bit soft.
-2-
Even in the 18th Century, the colonial American was far more
free and prosperous than his European cousin. Englishmen
regarded us with some envy as appropriately fat subjects to
share their grinding tax burdens.
Bunker
After Concord Bridge and Breed's Hill, the British
generals were somewhat impressed with our marksmanship and
fighting spirit, but they still dismissed Washington's militia-
men as "a rabble in arms."
Many years later, when he was 91, a Yankee veteran
of Concord was interviewed and asked why he took up his rifle
against his King. Did he feel intolerably oppressed?
Nope. Never paid a penny for one of them Stamps.
Never drank any tea. Never heard of Locke; only read the
Bible and the Almanac. Well then, what did all the fighting
mean?
"Young man," the aging Revolutionary said firmly.
"What we meant in going for those Redcoats was this: We
it
FORD
9758
-3-
always had governed ourselves, and we always meant to.
"They didn't mean we should. "
Without Jefferson's eloquence, those are the words
of the American people's Declaration of our independence.
That was the straight talk that brought some 11,000 ordinary
Americans, farmers, workers, tradesmen, shopkeepers, into
this valley of sacrifice in the bitter winter of 1777.
Some four thousand of them were never to leave
They did not die amid the furling banners and fearful
sounds of battle. They weakened slowly and quietly succumbed
to cold, sickness and starvation.
Yet their courage and suffering -- those who survived
as well as those who fell -- were no less meaningful than
the sacrifices of those who manned the battlements of Boston
and scaled the parapets of Yorktown.
In the battle against despair, Washington and his
men kept freedom's lonely vigil. The leader and the led
-4-
drew strength and hope from one another. Around the winter
campfires that dotted these fields the flame of liberty was
somehow kept burning.
Something happened at Valley Forge.
That ragged, starving Army here emerged and changed
in a way that can be sensed but never fully described. They
suffered, they trained, they toughened, they buried their
dead, and they stayed. They stuck it out.
When Spring melted the snows and green returned to
this beautiful countryside, a proud and disciplined fighting
force marched out of this valley on the road to victory,
into the pages of history, unaware of the greatness they
had done and oblivious of our gratitude.
As Abraham Lincoln noted long afterwards at another
sacred site in Pennsylvania, nothing we say here today can
further consecrate or hallow this ground. But we can re-
dedicate ourselves to the spirit of sacrifice of which
-5-
Valley Forge and so many other American landmarks are
living reminders.
The sturdy wagon trains that have returned here,
the wonderful people who drove them and those along the
way who rededicated themselves to the great principles of
the Declaration of Independence, offer heartwarming proof
that our American adventure has really just begun.
Our Bicentennial is the happy birthday of all 50
United States, a commonwealth and self-governing territories.
It is not just a celebration for the original 13 colonies.
Americans are one people, and we can still hear them say-
ing:
"We always have governed ourselves, and we always
mean to "
As the earliest English settlers carried the Bible
and Blackstone's Commentary across the Atlantic among their
few precious possessions, and covenanted among themselves
-6-
for self-government on a strange and hostile coast, the
American families in these prairie schooners took over
the trails the principle of equality and the unalienable
rights of the Declaration of Independence.
Their pursuit of happiness, their restless search
for a better life, also was sustained by a spirit of sacrifice.
They too suffered cruel winters, savage attacks, blazing
deserts and bleeding feet. Many were buried beside the
trail. But many more stuck it out, dug in and built per-
manent settlements, where women stood the same sentry duty
as the men. So in the west the Declaration's promise of
legal and political equality was first broadened.
The American pioneers knew that in their new wilder-
ness homes they would not be colonials, ruled by a distant
government, because in due time they could govern themselves
I
under the Constitution as full citizens of equal States.
This political guarantee made all the risks and sacrifices
-7-
worthwhile. Their children and future generations would
have all the rights of Washington and Franklin and Lincoln.
And SO we do --- and more.
As we continue our American adventure, the patriots
of Valley Forge and the pioneers of the American frontier,
indeed all our heroes and heroines of war and peace, send
us this single urgent message: Though prosperity is a good
thing, though compassionate charity is a good thing, though
institutional reform is a good thing, a nation survives only
SO long as the spirit of sacrifice and self-discipline is
strong within its people.
Independence has to be defended as well as declared;
freedom is always worth fighting for; and liberty ultimately
belongs only to those willing to suffer for it.
If we remember this, we can bring health where there
is now disease, peace where there is strife, progress where
there is poverty and want.
-8-
And when our Tricentennial celebration rolls around,
100 years from now, grateful Americans still will come to
this shrine of quiet valor, this forge of our Republic's
iron core.
# # #
Composite Draft #2
June 30, 1976
SPEECH #4 - VALLEY FORGE
They came here in the snows of winter over a trail
marked with the blood of their rag-bound feet.
The iron forge that gave this place its name had
been destroyed by the British when General Washington and
his ragged Continental Army encamped here, exhausted, out-
numbered and short of everything except faith.
Yet we gather here today, the 200th anniversary of
our independence, to commemorate their sacrifices even
before we celebrate the glorious Declaration.
Americans will remember the name of Valley Forge as
lives
long as the spirit of sacrifice
illuminates
their hearts.
Here the vein of iron in our national character was
forged. In the 18th Century, the colonial American was
far more free and prosperous than his European cousin.
Englishmen regarded us with some envy as appropriate
fat
subjects to share their grinding tax burdens.
-2-
After Concord Bridge and Breed's Hill, the British
generals were somewhat impressed with our marksmanship and
fighting spirit, but they still dismissed Washington's
militiamen as "a rabble in arms." "
Many years later, when he was 91, a veteran of
Concord was interviewed and asked why he took up his rifle
against his King. Did he feel intolerably oppressed?
Nope. Never paid a penny for one of them stamps.
Never drank any tea. Never heard of Locke; only read the
Bible and the Almanac. Well then, what did all the fighting
mean?
"Young man," the aging Revolutionary said firmly.
"What we meant in going for those Redcoats was this: We
always had governed ourselves, and we always meant to." "
"They didn't mean we should."
Without Jefferson's eloquence, those are the words
of the American people's Declaration of our independence.
FORD
-3-
That was the straight talk that brought some 11,000 ordinary
Americans, farmers, workers, tradesmen, shopkeepers, into
this valley of sacrifice in the bitter winter of 1777.
Uncounted hundreds of them were never to leave.
They did not die amid the furling banners and fearful
sounds of battle. They weakened slowly and quietly succumbed
!
to cold, sickness and starvation.
Yet their courage and suffering -- those who survived
as well as those who fell -- were no less meaningful than
the sacrifices of those who manned the battlements of Boston
and scaled the parapets of Yorktown.
In the battle against despair, Washington and his men
kept freedom's lonely vigil. The leader and the led drew
strength and hope from one another. Around the winter camp-
fires that dotted these fields the flame of liberty was
somehow kept burning.
Something happened at Valley Forge.
-4-
That ragged, starving Army here emerged and changed
in a way that can be sensed but never fully described. They
suffered, they trained, they toughened, they buried their
dead, and they stayed. They stuck it out.
When Spring melted the snows and green returned to
this beautiful countryside, a proud and disciplined fighting
force marched out of this valley on the road to victory,
into the pages of history, unaware of the greatness they had
done and oblivious to our gratitude.
As Abraham Lincoln noted long afterwards at another
sacred site in Pennsylvania, nothing we can say here today
can further consecrate or hallow this ground. But we can
rededicate ourselves to the spirit of sacrifice shown at
Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Argonne Forest, Anzio Beach and
11
Iwo Jima. Not all sacrifices are made in war. There are
also sacrifices of peace.
-5-
The sturdy wagon trains that have returned here, the
wonderful people who drove them and those along the way who
rededicated themselves to the great principles of the Declara-
tion of Independence, offer heartwarming proof that our
American adventure has really just begun.
Our Bicentennial is the happy birthday of all 50 States,
a commonwealth and self-governing territories. It is not
just a celebration for the original 13 colonies. Americans
are one people, and we can still hear them saying:
"We always have governed ourselves, and we always
mean to. "
The earliest English settlers carried the Bible and
Blackstone's Commentary across the Atlantic among their few
precious possessions, and established their own self-governments
on a strange and hostile coast. American families in prairie
schooners like these took with them on the overland trails
the principle of equality and the God-given rights of the
-6-
Declaration of Independence.
Their restless search for a better life was begun
in the spirit of adventure. But it was the spirit of sacri-
fice that sustained them. They too suffered cruel winters,
savage attacks, blazing deserts and bloody feet. Many were
buried beside the trail. But many more stuck it out, dug in
and built permanent settlements, where women stood the same
sentry duty as the men. In the West, the Declaration's expended
first
of legal and political equality for women was first broadened.
to
#
The American pioneers knew that in their new wilder-
ness homes they would not be colonials, ruled by a distant
government. They had assurance that, in due course, they
could govern themselves as full citizens of equal States.
This political guarantee made all the risks and sacrifices
worthwhile. Their children and future generations would
have all the rights of Washington, Jackson and Lincoln.
And so do we -- and more.
-7-
As we continue our American adventure, the patriots
of Valley Forge and the pioneers of the American frontier,
indeed all our heroes and heroines of war and peace, send
us this single urgent message: Though prosperity is a good
thing, though compassionate charity is a good thing, though
institutional reform is a good thing, a nation survives only
so long as the spirit of sacrifice and self-discipline is
strong within its people.
Independence has to be defended as well as declared;
freedom is always worth fighting for; and liberty ultimately
belongs only to those willing to suffer for it.
If we remember this, we can bring health where there
is now disease, peace where there is strife, progress where
there is poverty and want.
And when our Tricentennial celebration rolls around,
100 years from now, grateful Americans still will come to
this shrine of quiet valor, this forge of our Republic's
iron core.
# # #
J. MARSH
THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE -- PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS
AT VALLEY FORGE -- JULY 4, 1976
-1-
THEY CAME HERE IN THE SNOWS OF WINTER OVER A TRAIL
MARKED WITH THE BLOOD OF THEIR RAG-BOUND FEET.
-2-
THE IRON FORGE THAT GAVE THIS PLACE ITS NAME HAD BEEN
DESTROYED BY THE BRITISH WHEN GENERAL WASHINGTON AND HIS
RAGGED CONTINENTAL ARMY ENCAMPED HERE, EXHAUSTED,
OUTNUMBERED AND SHORT OF EVERYTHING EXCEPT FAITH
-3-
YET WE GATHER HERE TODAY, THE 200th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR
INDEPENDENCE, TO COMMEMORATE THEIR SACRIFICES EVEN BEFORE
WE CELEBRATE THE GLORIOUS DECLARATION
-4-
AMERICANS WILL REMEMBER THE NAME OF VALLEY FORGE AS
LONG AS THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE LIVES WITHIN THEIR HEARTS
HERE THE VEIN OF IRON IN OUR NATIONAL CHARACTER WAS
FORGED
IN THE 18th CENTURY , THE COLONIAL AMERICAN WAS
FAR MORE FREE AND PROSPEROUS THAN HIS EUROPEAN COUSIN
-5-
ENGLISHMEN REGARDED US WITH SOME ENVY AS APPROPRIATE
SUBJECTS TO SHARE THEIR GRINDING TAX BURDENS
-6-
AFTER CONCORD BRIDGE AND BREED'S HILL, THE BRITISH
GENERALS WERE SOMEWHAT IMPRESSED WITH OUR MARKSMANSHIP
AND FIGHTING SPIRIT, BUT THEY STILL DISMISSED WASHINGTON'S
MILITIAMEN AS "A RABBLE IN ARMS
-7-
MANY YEARS LATER, WHEN HE WAS 91, A VETERAN OF CONCORD
WAS INTERVIEWED AND ASKED WHY HE TOOK UP HIS RIFLE AGAINST
HIS KING
DID HE FEEL INTOLERABLY OPPRESSED?
NOPE
NEVER PAID A PENNY FOR ONE OF THEM STAMPS.
NEVER DRAND ANY TEA
-8-
NEVER HEARD OF LOCKE; / ONLY READ THE BIBLE AND THE ALMANAC.
//
WELL THEN, WHAT DID ALL THE FIGHTING MEAN?
"YOUNG MAN," THE AGING REVOLUTIONARY SAID FIRMLY.
-9-
"WHAT WE MEANT IN GOING FOR THOSE REDCOATS WAS THIS:
WE ALWAYS HAD GOVERNED OURSELVES, AND WE ALWAYS MEANT
TO
"THEY DIDN'T MEAN WE SHOULD
FORD
-10-
WITHOUT JEFFERSON'S ELOQUENCE, THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE'S DECLARATION OF OUR INDEPENDENCE
THAT WAS
THE STRAIGHT TALK THAT BROUGHT SOME ELEVEN THOUSAND ORDINARY
AMERICANS, FARMERS, WORKERS, TRADESMEN, SHOPKEEPERS, INTO
THIS VALLEY OF SACRIFICE IN THE BITTER WINTER OF 1777
-II-
UNCOUNTED HUNDREDS WERE NEVER TO LEAVE
THEY DID NOT DIE AMID THE FURLING BANNERS AND FEARFUL
SOUNDS OF BATTLE
THEY WEAKENED SLOWLY AND
QUIETLY SUCCUMBED TO COLD, SICKNESS AND STARVATION
-12-
YET THEIR COURAGE AND SUFFERING -- THOSE WHO SURVIVED
AS WELL AS THOSE WHO FELL -- WERE NO LESS MEANINGFUL THAN
THE SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO MANNED THE BATTLEMENTS OF BOSTON
AND SCALED THE PARAPETS OF YORKTOWN
-13-
IN THE BATTLE AGAINST DESPAIR, WASHINGTON AND HIS
MEN KEPT FREEDOM'S LONELY VIGIL
THE LEADER AND THE LED
DREW STRENGTH AND HOPE FROM ONE ANOTHER
AROUND THE WINTER
CAMPFIRES THAT DOTTED THESE FIELDS THE FLAME OF LIBERTY WAS
SOMEHOW KEPT BURNING
SOMETHING HAPPENED AT VALLEY FORGE
-14-
THAT RAGGED, STARVING ARMY HERE/EMERGED AND CHANGED IN
A WAY THAT CAN BE SENSED BUT NEVER FULLY DESCRIBED
THEY
SUFFERED, THEY TRAINED, THEY TOUGHENED, THEY BURIED THEIR DEAD,
AND THEY STAYED
THEY STUCK IT OUT
-15-
WHEN SPRING MELTED THE SNOWS AND GREEN RETURNED TO THIS
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE, A PROUD AND DISCIPLINED FIGHTING FORCE
MARCHED OUT OF THIS VALLEY ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY, INTO THE
PAGES OF HISTORY, UNAWARE OF THE GREATNESS THEY HAD DONE AND
OBLIVIOUS TO OUR GRATITUDE.
-16-
AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN NOTED LONG AFTERWARDS AT ANOTHER
SACRED SITE IN PENNSYLVANIA, NOTHING WE CAN SAY HERE TODAY
CAN FURTHER CONSECRATE OR HALLOW THIS GROUND
-17-
BUT WE CAN REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE
SHOWN AT VALLEY FORGE, GETTYSBURG, ARGONNE FOREST,
ANZIO BEACH AND IWO JIMA
NOT ALL SACRIFICES ARE MADE IN WAR
THERE ARE ALSO
SACRIFICES OF PEACE.
-18-
THE STURDY WAGON TRAINS THAT HAVE RETURNED HERE, THE
WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO DROVE THEM/AND THOSE ALONG THE WAY WHO
REDEDICATED THEMSELVES TO THE GREAT PRINCIPLES OF THE DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE,
/
OFFER HEARTWARMING PROOF THAT OUR AMERICAN
ADVENTURE HAS REALLY JUST BEGUN
-19-
OUR BICENTENNIAL IS THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY OF ALL 50 STATES,
A COMMONWEALTH AND SELF-GOVERNING TERRITORIES.
IT IS NOT
JUST A CELEBRATION FOR THE ORIGINAL 13 COLONIES.
AMERICANS
ARE ONE PEOPLE, AND WE CAN STILL HEAR THEM SAYING:
"WE ALWAYS HAVE GOVERNED OURSELVES, AND WE ALWAYS
MEAN TO."
-20-
THE EARLIEST ENGLISH SETTLERS CARRIED THE BIBLE AND
BLACKSTONE'S COMMENTARY ACROSS THE ATLANTIC AMONG THEIR FEW
PRECIOUS POSSESSIONS, AND ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN SELF-
GOVERNMENTS ON A STRANGE AND HOSTILE COAST
-21-
AMERICAN FAMILIES IN PRAIRIE SCHOONERS LIKE THESE TOOK WITH
THEM ON THE OVERLAND TRAILS THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY AND THE
GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
THEIR RESTLESS SEARCH FOR A BETTER LIFE WAS BEGUN IN THE
SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE.
-22-
BUT IT WAS THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE THAT SUSTAINED THEM
THEY TOO SUFFERED CRUEL WINTERS, SAVAGE ATTACKS, BLAZING
DESERTS AND BLOODY FEET
MANY WERE BURIED BESIDE THE TRAIL
-23-
BUT MANY MORE STUCK IT OUT, DUG IN AND BUILT PERMANENT
SETTLEMENTS, WHERE WOMEN STOOD THE SAME SENTRY DUTY AS THE
MEN
IN THE WEST, THE DECLARATION'S PROMISE OF LEGAL AND
POLITICAL EQUALITY FOR WOMEN WAS FIRST BROADENED
FORD
-24-
THE AMERICAN PIONEERS KNEW THAT IN THEIR NEW WILDERNESS
HOMES THEY WOULD NOT BE COLONIALS, RULED BY A DISTANT
GOVERNMENT
THEY HAD ASSURANCE THAT, IN DUE COURSE, THEY
COULD GOVERN THEMSELVES AS FULL CITIZENS OF EQUAL STATES
-25-
THIS POLITICAL GUARANTEE MADE ALL THE RISKS AND SACRIFICES
WORTHWHILE
THEIR CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS WOULD
HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS OF WASHINGTON, JACKSON AND LINCOLN
AND so DO WE -- AND MORE
-26-
AS WE CONTINUE OUR AMERICAN ADVENTURE, THE PATRIOTS
OF VALLEY FORGE AND THE PIONEERS OF THE AMERICAN FRONTIER,
INDEED ALL OUR HEROES AND HEROINES OF WAR AND PEACE, SEND US
THIS SINGLE URGENT MESSAGE:
-27-
THOUGH PROSPERITY IS A GOOD THING, THOUGH COMPASSIONATE
CHARITY IS A GOOD THING, THOUGH INSTITUTIONAL REFORM IS A
GOOD THING, A NATION SURVIVES ONLY so LONG AS THE SPIRIT
OF SACRIFICE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE IS STRONG WITHIN ITS PEOPLE
-28-
INDEPENDENCE HAS TO BE DEFENDED AS WELL AS DECLARED;
FREEDOM IS ALWAYS WORTH FIGHTING FOR; AND LIBERTY ULTIMATELY
BELONGS ONLY TO THOSE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR IT.
-29-
IF WE REMEMBER THIS, WE CAN BRING HEALTH WHERE THERE
IS NOW DISEASE, PEACE WHERE THERE IS STRIFE, PROGRESS WHERE
THERE IS POVERTY AND WANT
give
-30-
AND WHEN OUR TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ROLLS AROUND,
100 YEARS FROM NOW, GRATEFUL AMERICANS STILL WILL COME TO
THIS SHRINE OF QUIET VALOR, THIS FORGE OF OUR REPUBLIC'S
IRON CORE
END OF TEXT
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