This morning I pulled into the parking lot of Quik Trip to grab a cup of coffee. A Black SUV was at the gas pump. Written across the rear window in white shoe polish was the plea, “Remember our troops at Christmas.” Point well taken. I’ll go one better, “Pray for our troops this Christmas.”
It certainly is difficult for the men and women serving our country to be away from their families at this time of year. It is hard on their families as well. We know. Two of our sons served in Iraq.
Throughout the history of the United States men and women have been away from home serving their country during the holidays. The nation has had a long standing tradition of recognizing that sacrifice and honoring their sacrifice. This “Christmas Sacrifice” dates back to the founding of this country. Let’s travel back in time for a moment and remember Christmas Day 1776:
The American Revolution seemed destined to fail. The Continential Army had suffered multiple defeats since the British expeditionary force had landed on Staten Island that August. 32,000 well-trained troops had pushed the Continential Army from the Hudson to the Delaware, captured Trenton and drove the rebel army across the river. British Gerneral William Howe suspended military operations until the spring and left the city of Trenton in the hands of an occupation force made up of 1,500 brutal German Hessian mercenaries.
The American situation looked desperate and beyond hope. Due to casualties, disease, desertion and expired enlistments General Washington had only 3,000 of his original 20,000 troops left. The enlistments of most of these remaining soldiers was set to run out at the end of the month.
On Christmas Eve Washington met with Benjamin Rush, one of the only Congressman still in Philadelphia. He told Rush of his stunning decision: to launch a surprise attack on the Hessians. The password Washington chose for that operation revealed the desperation of the moment – “Victory or Death.”
The next day, Christmas Day, Washington gave his officers their orders. They were to divide into three groups. Two would cross the Delaware River downstream and one, led by Washington would cross upstream and they would march on Trenton from different directions. The officers were given words of inspiration to pass on the troops from Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis. As the soldiers climbed aboard the boats for the treacherous river crossing they were reminded of Paine’s opening words, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
Washington set out with 2,400 men, many of them without shoes and feet wrapped in rags. They had to break through the ice to get to the boats. Crossing the river with the heavy cannons made the situation even more difficult. The two groups who were to cross downriver failed and were not able to make it across. Washington and his men persevered and 14 hours after they started landed in New Jersey and began the 10 mile march to Trenton.
The surprise attack began at 8am. The Continental’s gunpowder was soaked and useless. They fought with bayonets driving the Hessians from the homes they had taken up residence in for the winter. The worst of the battle only lasted 45 minutes. The Hessians surrendered. Incredibly, the Continental Army only had four wounded soldiers and the only fatalities were two woldiers who had frozen to death on the road during the night.
This was the turning point for the American Revolution. Other battles would be fought, but this battle sent the message that the British military was not invincible. Although July 4, 1776 is celebrated as the nation’s birthday, without December 25, 1776 America would have died in infancy. The Founding Father would have been a mere footnote in history, if remembered at all.
Accompanying Washington that Christmas night were two other future Presidents, James Madison and James Monroe as well as notable men like Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton and the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall.
As we freely celebrate Christmas lets remember those who gave us this freedom and those who continue to protect this freedom. To all the men and women serving our nation in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard I salute you and say, “Thank you. You are following a great heritage of those who sacrificed on Christmas Day for their country and countrymen. Serve with pride, honor and dignity.”
The Snickerdoodle has the best name in the cookie species. Most cookies are named after their primary ingredient – sugar, chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, etc. Each of them depends on their food class being their last name. You can just say, “sugar.” You have to say, “sugar cookie.” Likewise chocolate chip, peanut butter etc.