The Revolution and Fathers’ Day

Something important is happening without enough fanfare.  Two hundred and fifty years ago the American Revolution was being fought!  It is an important anniversary to Americans and to the rest of the free world that we have been defending.

The planning for this celebration should have been occurring during the Biden administration.  But that would have entailed celebrating America.

What 250th anniversaries have passed, so far, without enough fanfare?

On April 19th 1775, there was a skirmish at Lexington and Concord followed up by a British retreat to Boston.  It is referred to as “The shot heard round the world.”  It signaled the start of The Revolution and should definitely have been celebrated.

On May 10th 1775, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain boys captured Fort Ticonderoga, here in New York State.  It was an American morale builder and the cannons captured in this victory were eventually transferred over the mountains to Boston where they threatened the British and forced them to abandon Boston. 

Call me catty, but NY Governor Kathy Hochul could not find time on May 10th to travel a few miles north to celebrate the occasion.  Congresswoman Elise Stefanic was there.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the 14th, we celebrate Flag Day which was enabled by the American Revolution. 

A crucial anniversary is coming up this weekend; Sunday the 15th is Fathers’ Day.  Something important occurred on that day in 1775, which gives increased meaning to this year’s Fathers’ Day and seems like more than a coincidence. 

On June 15th 1775, George Washington – the appropriately named ”Father of our country” – was chosen by the Continental Congress as commander of the Continental Army.  Washington would be at the very center of American events for the next twenty-two years, and it all started on that June 15th; a Virginia planter started on the road to being the “Father of our country.”   

Washington truly was the indispensable man.  Think of how American and world history would have been changed without his leadership, wisdom and unselfishness at the birth of the United States. 

Probably, there would not be a United States.

The Continental Congress made mistakes over the course of The Revolution, but they got that “Big One” right. 

When we honor our fathers on this Sunday, take a minute to remember the “Father of our country” and thank God for giving us George Washington.