“It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people to … rescue and save their civil and religious rights from the outstretched arm of tyranny, which may appear under any mode or form of government.” —Mercy Warren, 1805

“Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors.” —Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

As a nation we are wholly uneducated in our own history. Especially as it relates to the Judeo-Christian foundation laid by the brave men and women who colonized what would become the United States of America. This lack of knowledge is not only sad but is a major contributor to the decline in American identity.

It seems today that many feel that what they don’t know will not hurt them. They have grown up in a free country that has produced most of the modern innovation, inventions and prosperity in the world. Yet they take it all for granted and have no natural curiosity as to why America is different (exceptional) from other nations. It is this lack of intellectual curiosity that is killing those principles that made America great and inspired hundreds of thousands to fight and die to keep America free and great.

Those who have taken control of our educational, media and entertainment institutions have done a good job of rewriting our history to the point of painting a false picture of America as an evil nation. This destroys loyalty, patriotism and love of country and as a result few are then willing to be on the front lines protecting liberty both here and abroad.

It is knowledge and understanding of the biblical principles put forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that support liberty. That is the “what” that supports liberty. As the Bible says in Hosea 4:6 “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” What we have been experiencing for the last sixty years is the slow destruction of America. As the true living God has been expunged from the public arena and exchanged for the god of big government, the integrity of the government at all levels has been corrupted and liberty destroyed. The personal responsibility and self-government necessary to maintain our Republic is fast becoming a thing of the past.

Sadly, even new citizens are denied even hearing the words of the Declaration because they are too “religious”. Can you imagine that? Makes me scratch my head and wonder what planet I live on when the simple quoting of the Declaration is off limits when addressing immigrants before they take their citizenship oath. Instead of encouraging assimilation we now encourage accommodation at all levels even if it violates American born citizens their Constitutional and unalienable rights.

Knowing the past especially the Christian heritage of America and embracing the principles upon which the Republic was established are necessary to upholding liberty. The people who serve the citizens as first responders and soldiers are the “who” that are also necessary to uphold liberty. This week we celebrate Veteran’s Day and celebrate all those who have served and sacrificed so all future Americans can live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. But it will take more of us willing to sacrifice to educate ourselves to our valued past – our history- to maintain liberty for future generations. Citizens who value public virtue and morality are absolutely necessary to secure the future of all Americans.

My dad, who passed away on August 6, was one of the greatest generation who served bravely and valiantly in WWII. He was one of many quiet heroes. The local community magazine where he and my mom have lived for forty-six years published a beautiful tribute to my dad and his heart to serve. As a B-17 bomber pilot he led his ten member crew through the twenty-five missions scheduled for each bomber and crew then the Army upped the number of missions to thirty. They safely completed all thirty and were ready to celebrate being able to go home when word came they had to continue to fly. D-Day happened and they were used as decoys to keep the German planes away from the beaches of Normandy. In all they completed thirty-three missions with the last one being the closest to being shot down. Not one was injured and the plane was bullet hole free!

I have been comparing the extended missions that my dad’s unit endured to today’s military habit of re-deployments and have come to a conclusion. It was much easier to continue to fight with each extension in WWII because it was a war we were fighting to win. Yes, they were a great generation but those who have been serving in todays’ military where each deployment is not for the purpose of winning or defeating an enemy but is purely based on politics are truly admirable, brave and honorable. They are true patriots. If it weren’t for all the brave and honorable men and women over the generations who have stepped up to “defend and protect” we would not have had the most free and prosperous nation on earth. Please take time this week to thank those veterans around you and those you know who are currently serving.

“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.” —John Adams, 1765

Dinner Table Discussion: Is this generation willing to make the sacrifice for the cause of liberty?