When I Think of America

When I think of America, I think of the word valor, an old French word valour that describes something or someone of value, worth, strength, or courage. In other words, valor is any courageous action done to protect something valuable or worthy. America’s history is interwoven with stories of valiant men and women who sacrificed everything for the cause and country they esteemed. Modern-day Americans can learn much about valor from our nation’s patriots - both past and present.

Valor of the Founders

With full knowledge that their possessions and lives were in jeopardy, America’s founders acted with valor when they chose to declare independence from England. Signing the Declaration of Independence was an act of treason against the most powerful nation in the world, but our founding fathers valiantly signed that document, risking everything to secure freedom for their posterity. Our founders were well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it would cost to both gain and maintain independence. While many signers of the Declaration of Independence led successful lives after the American Revolution, others lost everything.

• 9 of the 56 founders who signed the Declaration died during the Revolution.
• 18 founders had their homes looted or burned, some losing everything they possessed.  Five were captured by the British.
• Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., and Arthur Middleton, members of the South Carolina delegation, all suffered the destruction or vandalizing of their homes and were captured, spending a year in a British prison.
• Richard Stockton of New Jersey was betrayed by his Tory neighbors, imprisoned, brutally beaten, and starved. His health ruined and his wealth lost, Stockton died, leaving his family to live as paupers for the rest of their lives.
• John Hart, Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, was forced to flee from his dying wife’s bedside. At the age of 65, he hid in forests and caves during the cold winter of 1776. When it was finally safe to return home, he found his property decimated, his 13 children missing, and his wife dead. He never saw any of his children again and died, a broken man, in 1779.
• Thomas Nelson, Jr.‘s home was seized by the British and occupied by General Cornwallis during the Battle of Yorktown. As a result, Nelson was required to command patriot gunners to fire on his own house to defeat the British. They did so, but Nelson’s property was completely destroyed. Nelson never regained his wealth. He died bankrupt and was buried in an unmarked grave.

Many of our founders were prosperous men who could have chosen to live out their lives in ease and luxury under the heel of Great Britain.  Instead, they valiantly chose to sign the Declaration and pledge their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" to the cause of liberty. Many were ultimately called on to sacrifice greatly in order to honor that pledge. Our founders considered freedom, with their first freedom being religious liberty, to be more valuable than security, more valuable than an easily obtained peace. Their valor has changed the course of history, not only for America, but for the whole world.

Valor on the Battlefield

Nowhere is valor portrayed more vividly and frequently than on the battlefield. Since our inception as a nation, American soldiers have valiantly fought each new war and each new enemy to obtain and preserve the freedoms "ordinary" Americans too often take for granted.

While there are many unsung exploits of unknown heroes, the selfless sacrifices of many soldiers are awarded with a Congressional Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is inscribed with the word valor and has been awarded to almost 3,400 men and women (both military and civilians) whose inspiring acts of bravery saved lives and furthered military objectives from 1862 to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  
 

• 1918, France: At the outset of the enemy’s intense artillery bombardment, Army runner First Lieutenant George Price Hays’ line of communication was irreparably broken. While trying to reestablish contact and relay important information about enemy movements, seven different horses were shot out from under him, and he was severely wounded. His activity under severe fire was an important factor in curbing the enemy’s advance.
• 1944, Los Negros Islands: Sergeant Troy A. McGill and his small squad were violently attacked by 200 enemy troops. All the squad were killed or severely wounded except Sergeant McGill. Valiantly determined to hold their position at all costs, he fired his weapon until it ceased to work. Then, when the enemy came within five yards, he charged from the foxhole in the face of certain death, wielding his broken rifle as a club, and fought the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. One hundred five enemy dead were found around his position.
• 1969, Vietnam: Marine Lance Corporal Richard Anderson was painfully wounded in both legs and knocked to the ground by machine gun fire from a sudden enemy attack. Anderson, unable to rise with both legs injured, continued to dispense intense fire in an attempt to repel the attack. Moments later an enemy soldier wounded him a second time. Unwavering, he continued his relentless fire at the assaulting unit.  When a grenade landed beside Anderson, he rolled over and covered it with his body, absorbing the full impact of the detonation, saving many comrades.

Valor in Daily Life

I think of the amazing valor of many pastors and local churches that are standing for the Truth of the Word of God in a nation that does not value that message like it  once did.  The simple core doctrines of the Faith are under assault.

1. That there is only one Way to Heaven
2. That Way is Jesus Christ alone.
3. That Way is known to us in the Bible.
4. The Bible is God’s Holy Word.
5. God’s Word is to control our lives.

I think of the valor of parents who are daily striving to pass these Christian values on to their children.    Many times I have stood in court with parents facing the loss of their own children for doing nothing more than training and educating them consistent with their Biblical faith.

I think of the valor of many Christian people.  Men and women who want to speak the Truth in love and stand for it in the public squares and workplaces of our land.  While Christians are being pushed "into the closet" by many, there is still an army of God’s people willing to stand regardless of the cost.

These historical records and battlefield accounts should encourage us to be proud of our heritage—both as Americans and as Christians.  As we celebrate America’s birthday this 4th of July, sadly we find political correctness and rising anti-Christian sentiment across our land.  As God’s people, we need to apply Joshua 1:9 to "be strong and of a good courage."   It is time for us to stand for what we know to be right.

I thank God for our founders, for our brave American military, and most importantly for my salvation in Jesus Christ.  I also thank God for you.  Thank you for joining with us at the Christian Law Association as we defend our freedoms and serve many modern-day valiant pastors, churches, and Christians who are committed to living their faith regardless of the cost.