Behind Enemy Lines
It is truly disconcerting that the place where our fight for independence began, New England, now finds individual liberty and freedom behind enemy lines.
EXCERPT:
It is truly disconcerting that the place where our fight for independence began, New England, now finds individual liberty and freedom behind enemy lines. Sitting here in Rhode Island, I am reminded of the great Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene, the architect of the war’s Southern strategy. Greene is a hero in the South, and although born right here in Warwick, Rhode Island, he died in Mulberry Grove in my birth state of Georgia. He is remembered by having a county named after him in the Peach State. I wonder what MG Greene, the Green Mountain Boys, and the Sons of Liberty all think if they saw New England today, 250 years after their heroism in taking on the greatest power on earth at the time, England? I truly wonder what those in political power across New England would say to the ghosts of those men if confronted in their dreams one night? Or those who ramble on about “No Kings?”
As we prepare for America 250, think back to America 200. What has happened in our nation in a short 50 years is a cause for concern. I also see it as a call to service.
LTC West
Outstanding.
Great idea to read the Declaration of Independence, Our Nation's Birth Certificate, on every Independence Day.
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Fellow Americans
Here are a few more ideas on how to celebrate Independence Day.
I encourage all to see this Movie:
"Young Washington"
https://youtu.be/LJek-kc384w?si=2TTa2Io0maIDwpmq
The movie is PG13 (Battle Scenes & some Language) so, for kids 12 and up.
You be the judge.
A great teaching/learning opportunity.
I think the tickets are only 5 bucks.
Get your reservations ASAP.
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Like LTC West, I also encourage reading about the Declaration of Independence. Make the reading a group effort. Take turns reading a paragraph or a sentence or 2 out loud, then change to another reader.
Then discuss what it means to each.
Team Effort
"Out of many, one" is the English translation of the Latin motto E pluribus unum, symbolizing the unity of the United States from its original thirteen colonies and its diverse population.
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Watch this below video about the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
https://youtu.be/SKpDMlt5wUg?si=MB5tozHFjZMxYIFE
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Get the below puzzle and making a group project to put it together and read it.
https://a.co/d/06DoFbRm
There are many different 250th Birthday and Patriotic puzzles available on Amazon and the Internet.
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Print the new 2025 Naturalization Civics Test (128 Questions on 19 pages). Print back-to-back and 2 pages per sheet to save paper. You can also display the link on your phone/pad.
Ask impromptu, Civics question of the family & friends at your Fourth of July Celebration event.
Make the Q&A a game for door prizes. Make groups by ages and/or teams like Family Feud and ask questions. If you don't get the question right, you are eliminated. Have fun with it.
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/2025-Civics-Test-128-Questions-and-Answers.pdf
Make the game more of a challenge by asking question about the US Constitution, the 27 Amendments, US History, etc.
Examples:
What are the Enumerated Powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution? Name a few.
What at the 5 Freedoms in the First Amendments?
What was the 18th and 21st Amendment about?
What are the Slave Amendments?
What historic event caused the 12th Amendment to be written. Tell the story or duel be sitting Vice President Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamiltion.
- When did John Adams and Thomas Jefferson die?
- Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
- What were the Articles of Confederation?
- Just to name a few.
Have fun!
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Above are just a few ideas for celebrating "The Fourth."
Bottom Line: Listen to the words of Ronald Reagan.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SDouNtnR_IA&ra=m
We must teach Our Young & Old what it means to be a United States Citizen.
Happy Birthday