Valley Forge, Pennsylvania - Where the rag tag Patriots became a Continental Army

February 08, 2015

Valley Forge - Pennsylvania

“It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it.”

George Washington

One Autumn day I had the opportunity to quietly walk through the wooded trails and forests of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It was a cold and overcast day. The trees were denuded of their leaves which lay in deep layers upon the ground. It was very quiet and as I watched some deer drift away deeper in the forest, I thought of how difficult a task it must have been for General Washington to maintain moral and keep his troops in the field as they froze and suffered through the winter at Valley Forge. Every now and then a breeze would rush through the forest and send some of the last remaining golden leaves whirling to the ground. I considered how Baron Von Stueben brought discipline, standards and order to the rag tag Continental Army and through his instruction, the Continental Army impressed the French so much with drill and ceremony that they formally recognized the Colonies and offered full aid which eventually helped bring about the British surrender at Yorktown. As I walked through General Washington’s quarters, I pondered the significant history that transpired here. Our first President walked through the same halls, climbed the same stairs, opened these very doors. I felt humbled to have the opportunity to walk the same ground as this great man. I cannot adequately describe in words the debt that is forever owed to those first brave patriots who suffered so greatly to throw off the irons of he British Crown and make possible the freedoms we enjoy today. A walk through the forest at Valley Forge is something I will never forget. The sacrifice and selfless service of those great patriots is something that each and every American should reverently reflect on. We are all so greatly blessed and so lucky to live in this great Nation. Let us not forget how dearly our freedoms were bought and let us never take for granted the gift of freedom given to us by our founding fathers, that if not fiercely protected………can easily and will one day ………slip away.