Revealing the Treasure of America

While helping my youngest grandson, Sam, with his history project this week, I was once again awe-struck with the richness of our Christian heritage that has largely been stolen from us by many people and groups in many different ways. We have deep Christian roots in this country, and just because many of our leaders and people have departed from our roots, does not mean that we don't have them.  I'll echo the words of John Adams when he exclaimed, " I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence..."  Yes, America's heritage is rich, deep and it is ours.  It belongs to us and our children's children.

Sam wisely selected the Washington Monument for his study and construction. He's required to build a model of it and present facts about it.  The great man George Washington and his legacy can be revealed in those facts.

The magnificent design for the Washington Monument was selected through a national competition, like many other important national buildings and memorials.  This is an honored American tradition going all the way back to our beginning.

Five hundred feet, five and one eighth inches tall, it commands the attention of the skyline of our nation's capital.  No structure is permitted to be taller than the monument that the first rays of sunshine greet every morning and the last lights of sunsets close each day.  The Latin words pointing toward Almighty God in heaven declare for our nation, "Laus Deo," which means "Praise Be To God!" Nothing is allowed to be higher than this! It is our highest acclamation, expressing the hearts and minds of the American people, acknowledging and honoring the authority of God over the United States of America.  It also reflects the character of George Washington, whose life was grounded in the love of God and whose words declare that it is "the duty of our country to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and to humbly implore His protection and favor..."

The cornerstone for "The Monument" as it has always been known- (as if there is no other, giving it the renown it deserves,) was laid on July 4th, 1848, almost fifty years after the death of Washington, the Father of our country, who was "First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen."  The cornerstone is the basic and main part, the foundation of the building.  Within the cornerstone of "The Monument" the Holy Bible was placed, signifying that it is the foundation for our country.

There are 189 tribute stones given by states, cities, societies, churches and Sunday School classes, other countries, individuals and even school children. Most are engraved with quotations from the Bible, such as, "Search the Scriptures," John 5:39, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God," Luke 18:16, and "In God We Trust".  George Washington and the people of America knew that God is the Author of freedom and the source of the blessings of liberty.

Back in World War I a school essay competition about the Washington Monument was held for boys in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. William Brown Meloney V wrote, "The Washington Monument is built of stone contributed by all the nations of the earth to honor the founder of this republic.  From Arlington across the river where sleep the men who died for freedom, it looks like a giant spike, which God might have driven into this earth, saying, "Here I stake a claim for the home of Liberty!"  Twelve year old William later stated, "I tried to tell why it was there and what it means."  We would do well to remember his inspiring words, and continue requiring patriotic history projects for America's youth.

We Are America!

We are America!  We are decent, hard-working people who love our country and what it has represented for many generations.  When we look at our flag, we stand a little taller and a feeling of pride is quickened in our hearts.  We truly do believe that this is the land of the free and the home of the brave.  We are grateful for those who have selflessly served our country and currently serve in uniform.  It's important to us that the promises made to our veterans must be kept, and that while they're serving us we are serving them, keeping the flame of freedom burning brightly here at home.

We, the people of the United States of America, are America.  It is not the huge and corrupt government that has morphed into some gigantic monster unrecognizable by us that is America!  No!  And it no longer even represents and reflects the good, industrious and innovative citizens of our land.  What we, the people, established and ordained "to secure the blessings of freedom," has been trashed by those who have taken control.

But we are America.  We live and breathe; we remember who we are and what we are about!  We are many and we are strong.  We are going to take back what has been stolen from us and our posterity because we are America.  We are honorable and will restore honor to the name of America once again.  We "pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our honor," because we are America.