May 20 , 2005

Honoring Those Who Have Served

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today released the following opinion letter to the editor:

“In late 1776, George Washington’s Continental Army seemed down to its last breath. After suffering numerous defeats early in the year which drove the army south from New York, Washington regrouped in Pennsylvania across the Delaware River from Trenton, New Jersey. It was early December.

Morale was low. Many who had joined the army had the option of leaving at the end of the year when their enlistment was up and some were taking advantage of walking out a little early. British General Sir William Howe believed it was only a matter of time before the victory would be won. That was until Christmas night.

A winter storm moved into the region and the garrison of 1,500 Hessian troops that occupied Trenton began to turn in for the evening, not imagining what was about to take place. Across the river, Washington began organizing his troops for a major surprise attack. Beginning at 3:00 PM on Christmas day, 2,400 troops began lining up to cross the icy cold Delaware River. Washington’s goal was to complete the crossing by midnight, but the freezing cold, hail, sleet and snow slowed their progress and the final soldier didn’t make it to the other side until 3:00 AM. With the prospect of a seven-mile march ahead of them, thoughts of a surprise night attack seemed all but lost, but Washington pressed forward.

In the end, the Continental Army did surprise the Hessian troops and a decisive battle was won. The Battle of Trenton is viewed by many historians as the turning point of the War for Independence.

‘ Liberty,’ Washington said, ‘when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.’

Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address nearly 100 years after Washington crossed the Delaware, called on Americans to complete the unfinished task of ensuring that liberty “shall not perish from the earth.” It is a call we still heed today.

Since that fateful winter day in 1776, our country has seen times of deep despair, followed by great military success. The secession of the southern states brought about the Civil War, and until the North and South converged on a small field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Union seemed in danger of survival. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crushed our feeling of innocence and isolation from the world stage and pushed the United States into World War II. Only a bold landing in Normandy, France and an island by island Pacific campaign helped the Allies push back Adolph Hitler and defeat the Japanese empire. Three thousand innocent lives were lost in the Twin Towers on a beautiful September morning in New York City, reminding us all that there are those in this world who still hate the cause of liberty. Since 9/11 we have taken the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere around the world. Through it all, and in every other battle in between, from Korea, to Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, Americans have been able to look to our men and women of the military with the confidence and comfort that they will do whatever it takes to defend our country and spread freedom around the globe.

Throughout our nation’s history, more than one million men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of liberty. This Monday, we will continue the tradition of honoring their service and their lives with a national Memorial Day. 

This year, the month of May also marks the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day bringing to mind the great sacrifice of our fathers and grandfathers who served in World War II. But here in central Ohio, recent events also remind us of the ultimate sacrifice of our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and mothers and fathers in the War on Terror. The honored ranks of those who have gone before are joined by a new generation’s heroes who answered the nation’s call and made the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom for others. 

As one mother who recently lost her son in Iraq said, “He was the best that this country had to offer.” It couldn’t be said any better. We will remember them. We will not weep that such men and women died; rather we will rejoice that they lived. Because of their courage, dignity, service and sacrifice, you and I can rest our heads at night confident that our freedom will still be there when we wake up in the morning. 

Memorial Day has become the “unofficial start of summer,” but it has always been the “official” day of remembrance. As you meet with friends and family this weekend, take part in a cookout, work in your yard or take advantage of a big store sale, keep in mind that there are those who paid the ultimate price so that you could enjoy the freedom of Memorial Day. Take a moment on Monday to honor the sacrifice of our fallen and give thanks for the service of our veterans. 

The liberty we hold dear was dearly bought, and to those who served and paid the ultimate price, we give our deepest thanks.