Oath Keepers Anniversary Message: Remember the Spirit of April 19, 1775
By
Stewart Rhodes
April 19, 2011
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.
– Concord Hymn, Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today we honor the memory of the “embattled farmers” who stood in defiance at Lexington and Concord and then beat the hell out of the British Regulars all the way back to Boston on April 19, 1775. Two years ago, today, we Oath Keepers were privileged to be invited by the Committees of Safety to join them in their rally at Lexington Green, and, following in the footsteps of our forefathers, we stood right there on the hallowed battle ground at Lexington, roughly on the same line where the American militia stood so long ago, and defied a British officer’s orders to throw down their arms.
And on that ground, on that day in 2009, we renewed our oaths to defend the Constitution, just as Americans had done back in 1798, during an earlier time of crisis and turmoil, when they felt compelled to renew their commitment to their common bond – their oath. It is difficult to put into words what that felt like. It was a truly humbling and soul stirring experience. We were very fortunate to have some amazing speakers join us there on very short notice, including Sheriff Richard Mack, LCDR Guy Cunningham (the author of the 1994 Combat Arms Survey at the 29 Palms Marine Corps base), and my good friend, David R. Gillie. And we were privileged to meet some great patriots, such as “The Patriot Pastor” Garrett Lear (who would later become our official chaplain), and Montana State Representative, Joel Boniek (author of the Made in Montana gun law), among others. Along with other wonderful speakers, we heard a stellar address by Dr. Edwin Vieira, read by Tom Moor. You may view some of those speeches here.
Today, on Patriots Day, is a good day for us all to reflect on where we came from, what others have sacrificed so that we may be free, and to reflect on our own solemn responsibilities to see to it that their sacrifices were not in vain, and that the light of liberty is not snuffed out on our watch. We have big shoes to fill. I will tell you of just two men who, on that fateful day so long ago, set an example for the rest of us veterans to follow, when it comes to keeping our oaths with full commitment. Let their example burn in your hearts.
Isaac Davis: Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Perhaps you know the name of Isaac Davis, the militia captain and gunsmith who fell in the first volley at Concord Bridge, leaving behind a wife and four ill children. But did you know that Davis was convinced that he would die if it came to a fight because a few days before the battle a large owl, a symbol of death, had flown into his home and perched on his favorite gun? And yet, as his wife recalled, “the alarm was given early in the morning, and my husband lost no time in making ready to go to Concord with his company … My husband said but little that morning. He seemed serious and thoughtful, but never seemed to hesitate. He only said ‘take good care of the children,’ and was soon out of sight.” Those were his last words to his wife. However, despite his premonition of death, when Davis was asked if he was afraid to march down into Concord to defend the town, he replied “No, I am not and I haven’t a man that is!”
Samuel Whittemore: A Dangerous Old Man Goes to War One Last Time
The price of freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle, anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness. – Robert A. Heinlein
When eighty-year old farmer Samuel Whittemore, a veteran of the French Indian War, saw the approaching Regulars on April 19, 1775, he left his plow and, to the astonishment of his family, strapped on his prized dueling pistols and a captured French sword, grabbed his musket, and stepped out to make war one last time. Whittemore ambushed the column at close range, firing first with his musket, and then drawing his dueling pistols. He fired a total of five shots, killing three regulars and wounding another before being overrun. He then drew his sword and attacked. He was shot in the face at close range and bayoneted thirteen times and left for dead. When his grieving family came to collect his body, they were amazed to find him still alive and attempting to reload his musket for a parting shot at the now distant column.
Whittemore said he fought because he wanted his children to live without being subject to a distant King. Some have questioned his tactics, but never his resolve. Perhaps he felt he was just too old to “run and gun” with the others and chose to make his shots count, at close range. Or, perhaps, at the ripe old age of eighty, he had decided “today is a good day to die.” Despite his grievous wounds, he survived and lived another eighteen years, dying of natural causes at the age of ninety-eight.
At Bunker (Breed’s) Hill, another “dangerous old man” was overheard saying a prayer before the Regulars made their first charge. Was the old man asking God to keep him safe in the coming battle? No. He was down on his knees thanking God for preserving him long enough so that he could fight that day. That is the spirit of a free man who understands the big picture – that none of us gets out of here alive, and what counts most is whether we leave our children free.
Do We Still Have it In Us?
Some say we modern Americans have lost our hardness, our fire, and are not the men our forefathers were. They say we are no longer willing to pay the price of freedom Heinlein spoke of and will go out with a whimper rather than a bang in the face of tyranny. Such critics are making the same mistake our enemies have made throughout our history – confusing the American love of peace, prosperity, and our respect for the rule of law, with weakness.
Parliament and the British Officer Corps made that mistake back in 1775, convinced that the colonists were “cowardly and would never fight the Crown.” Major General Alured Clarke famously declared “that with a thousand British grenadiers he would undertake to go from one end of American to the other and geld all the males, partly by force and partly with a little coaxing.”
General Hugh Percy shared that opinion – until he experienced the wrath of the Americans swarming around him on his retreat from Concord. Afterward, he wrote wrote to General Harvey, in England:
“… during the whole affair the Rebels attacked us in a very scattered, irregular manner, but with perseverance and resolution, nor did they ever dare to form into any regular body. Indeed, they knew too well what was proper, to do so.
Whoever looks upon them as an irregular mob, will find himself much mistaken. They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about, having been employed as Rangers against the Indians and Canadians and this country being much covered with wood, and hilly, is very advantageous for their method of fighting. . . . “
Likewise, the Imperial Japanese Army and the Nazis thought the 1940’s generation of Americans was soft and weak, only to find themselves very much mistaken when young Americans by the droves stepped up, within days of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and said “I’m your huckleberry!” (you can read one such story here). Simply because we love life and the blessings of prosperity does not mean we will not fight, and fight hard.
Yes, We Can!
Some think we no longer have it in us because we have put up with so much that presumably the Founding Generation would not have tolerated. But remember, for two full decades before Lexington and Concord the colonists tried to peaceably reconcile their disagreements with Parliament, protesting, petitioning, and filing court cases. As our Declaration says, “mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” The Founding Generation exhausted all peaceful means of redress – they tried to work within the system. But “when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government.” And that is precisely what they did, when Parliament finally attempted to disarm them.
Today, we too are striving to preserve our rights by peaceful means, despite a “long train of abuses.” But that should not be mistaken for weakness or a lack of resolve. Just as the Founding Generation contained combat veterans who had learned much in the way of irregular warfare from their Indian foes, we too have among us tens of thousands of combat vets who have learned similar lessons and “who know very well what they are about.” Though many are aging, they are still most assuredly dangerous old men who should not be taken lightly.
This April 19, remember your heritage, and remember your own worth and measure. And remind yourself of what really matters most – that your children inherit a free country. And while we must work for peaceful remedy as long as we can, as Thomas Paine said, “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” And Liberty!
Stewart Rhodes
Founder of Oath Keepers
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April 19th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
here! here! my belief is theirs and i proudly stand, salute
April 19th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
The last thing I want to do, as I live out how ever many years I have left, is take up arms against fellow Americans in the defense of Liberty. In fact, until a couple years ago, it wasn’t something I even contemplated. But I believe we have a dark shadow creeping across this great country that must be confronted. I’m hopeful that the change in direction achieved through the ballot box in 2010 will continue in 2012. If that fails, I pledge to do whatever it takes to prevent my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren from living in tyranny.
Stan Needham
LCDR, USNR – Retired
April 19th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
We live in perilous times. Those who cling to comfort and slavery can do so with the blessings of of our government. Those of us who cling to the Constitution must be willing to sacrifice and prepare to meet the trails presented to us. Up the revolution and down with dictators is a phrase that has meaning today.
April 19th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
1/20/13 End of an Error
April 19th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Like Samuel Whittemore, I may be too old to join a formation but my hand is steady and my eyes still see well enough to sight a rifle. I love my grand-children too much to give up now…
George Rusling, Sr.
PO1, USNAG, Vietnam
April 19th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Our military, law enforcement, and ELECTED OFFICIALS need to HONOR THEIR OATH TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION!!!
oathkeepers.org
April 19th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
As a child I loved History, especially that of United States of America.
To read of the courage and resolve of the Founding Fathers and the Generations of Americans that have followed.
Willing to make a stand for Liberty, here and on distance shores.
And I look at the America of today and feel like a Pilgrim in an Unholy land.
But it isn’t the land, it’s the usurpers, greedy men who are selling out out country.
I have never thought the day would come that we may have to do as our Founding Fathers did.
If it happens, I will follow the example of Samuel Whittemore.
Gary Jordan
Ohio Deputy Sheriff (Retired)
April 20th, 2011 at 5:19 am
I am not a veteran. I am not an official member of Oathkeepers. But, I am a native-born American. I believe in the Constitution as our best and only protection against tyranny. I don’t believe in the “rulings” of the last 200 years from the Supreme Court which interpret the Constitution rather than uphold it–I don’t believe we are “persons” rather than human beings, men and women. I believe in my fellow American who has the courage to stand against tyranny and evil. I believe we are the last, best hope (such as we are) for free humanity. I pray that God will allow us victory and that He will bless Oathkeepers and America.
April 20th, 2011 at 7:16 am
Thank you to Oath Keepers for all of the work you do and for giving me hope again, that the constitution and bill of rights may be preserved.
April 20th, 2011 at 7:33 am
Like the man who thanks God he lived long enough to fight for freedom….I too just hope we do not have to do so. But there is a line that shall not be crossed. Every man has that line in his heart an must determine where he will stand when the time comes. I may not fire the first shot…or the last.. but I will not be trampled into the dust of history without standing up to tyranny and those who would take our freedom….so help me GOD…!!! Len Grummell LOK #30,USAF (ret)