Poor. Tired. Huddled masses. Yearning to breathe free.
New World. Fresh Start. Hope. Dream.
Poor. Tired. Huddled masses. Yearning to breathe free.
New World. Fresh Start. Hope. Dream.
Board Boat. Set sail. Waves build. Ship rolls. People sick. Two die. Two born. Sail. Sail.
Sun up. Moon sinks. Many times. Many times. Sail. Sail.
At last. Land. A new land. A rich land. Our land.
“… after many difficulties in boisterous storms, at length, by God’s providence, we espied land which was deemed to be Cape Cod, and so afterward it proved. And the appearance of it much comforted us, especially seeing so goodly a land, and wooded to the brink of the sea. It caused us to rejoice together and praise God …” [Journal of Plymouth Pilgrim, Edward Winslow, 1620].
Build. Plant. Plan. Compacts. Contracts. Covenants.
Forts. Settlements. Colonies.
Starvation. Disease. Elements. Enemies.
But. Standing. Standing in the new world. Breathing. Hoping. Dreaming.
Trade laws. Taxes. Tyranny. Unite. Rebel.
“… Gentlemen may cry, ‘Peace, Peace’ – but, there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” [Patrick Henry, 1775]
Many die. Many live. Freedom’s price: Paid.
Independence. Vision. Grow. Go. Go west. Go up. Go over. Go across.
Wait! Men bought. Men sold. How can this be in the land of the free?
Unite. Fight. Many die. More. Still more. Sad times. Sad news. Freedom’s price red with sorrow.
“… Our movement may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine, O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing – perfectly willing – to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt. [Sullivan, Union soldier, to his wife Sarah, 1861]
“… Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield. If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.”
Freedom wins. Union stands. Hearts heal. Hands join.
From 1609 to 2005. From 102 to 300 million. From 13 to 50.
Now. Here. Heirs stand. On grass. In weeds. By the levee. On decks. In driveways. By homes. On hills. In cars. Shoulder to shoulder. Looking up. Fire and light. Ash and beauty. War and peace.
Celebrate. Remember. Honor. Hope. Dream.
“… It is for us the living, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought have thus far so nobly advanced. It is for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” [Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 1863]
