American Revolution Rebels

Women could not fight in the American Revolution...or did they?
Compare these 2 unsung heroes to Paul Revere.  
#1  Sybill Luddington: Heroine of 1777.  At just 16 years old Luddington made a fantastic contribution to the American Revolution. She rode all the way from Putnam County, NY to Danbury CT. She rode over 40 miles to warn soldiers that the British were approaching.

#2 Betsy Dowdy: Heroine of 1775 goes on a very similar run with very little recognition in North Carolina. Enduring the wintry conditions, Betsy swam across Currituck Sound, rode through the Great Dismal Swamp, Camden, and then Elizabeth City, and then galloped inland more than 50 miles to Perquimans County, Her journey was more than 50 miles. I discovered Dowdy reading a children's book to my daughter. I found it in a children's book called The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy Paul Revere was a famous patriot who significantly contributed to the American Revolution. He participated in the Boston Tea Party and helped organize a network of soldiers to keep a surveillance on British military. He is famously known for his dangerous Midnight Run to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming. His Midnight Run included a boat ride across the Charles River and a horse ride through the country side. (Approximately 13 miles)

Determined Doctor

The life of  Alexander Augusta is inspiring and valuable to remember.  He was an African American in the late 1800's.  Augusta was a doctor, teacher, leader and hero.  He was a Virginia native who served as a surgeon of the 7th U.S. Colored Regiment.  His pursuit of education and social justice was sparked by his own personal convictions.  His burial at in Arlington Cemetery is a testament to his courage and bravery.

                                                     

Civil War Humanitarian

Robert Kirkland was the Angel of Marye Heights.  He was a Confederate soldier from South Carolina.  Hours after a dramatic Union loss he asked his superiors to help suffering Union soldiers.  Kirkland brought canteens and solace to soldiers in pain.  He risked his life to console soldiers before their death.  He deserves to be remembered as a brave hero because of his humanitarian  actions at Marye Heights.  

Kirkland exemplifies the concept: When you have a choice to be right and kind.  Choose kind.

 

   

Louis Bonacasa: Serviceman's Poetry

Teaching and discussing the sacrifice of fallen soldiers is very important on Memorial Day.  Here is a poem written by a brave soldier who had the lines of his poem tattooed to his chest before deployment.  Read: Daddy's Little Girl  by Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa.

Excerpt From Daddy's Little Girl:

Your pretty smile will melt my heart

And your sad cries will always tear me apart

Daddy will be there to wipe away your tears

And there to protect you from all your fears

Your sweet little laugh will be music to my ears

Journeys of Conviction

Paul Revere was a famous patriot who significantly contributed to the American Revolution.  He participated in the Boston Tea Party and helped organize a network of soldiers to keep a surveillance on British military.  He is famously known for his dangerous Midnight Run to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming.  His Midnight Run included a boat ride across the Charles River and a horse ride through the country side.  (Approximately 13 miles) But did you know about these two runs?

Sybill Luddington: Heroine of 1777: At just 16 years old Luddington made a fantastic contribution to the American Revolution. She rode all the way from Putnam County, NY to Danbury CT. She rode over 40 miles to warn soldiers that the British were approaching.

Rosalie Gardiner Jones: Heroine of 1913: Rosalie Gardiner Jones was a dedicated supporter of the cause. Her fight to gain the right to vote covered many years.  In 1913, she hiked 200 miles in 20 days to present a petition for suffrage.  Her courage in the face of hostility, eggs and tomatoes was amazing.  Despite her many obstacles she said "I am equal to man!" 

Historic Buffalo Soldiers

Buffalo soldiers were a very important part of American history.  They were African American soldiers who were historically not treated equally and under appreciated.  The phrase "Buffalo Soldier" was developed from Native American Indians who fought against them during the Indian Wars.  Buffalo soldiers served in the Indian Wars, Spanish American War and World War I.

Augustus Walley: He was born into slavery and freed as a result of the Civil War.  He was twenty when he enlisted as a soldier.  His courage under fire and strength led him to rescue troops on the plains during the Indian Wars.  Second, he fought along side Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish American.  Last, he was promoted and selected to train troops during World War I.  He dedicated his life to protecting and serving the U.S. 

Cathay Williams  was born as a slave and freed as a result of the Civil War. Williams was the first African American to enlist in the U.S. Army.  In order to fight she disguised her gender.  She was a true pioneer.

Prisoners of War: 2003 and 1945

Jessica Lynch was a Prisoner of War in the 2003 Iraq War. She was part of the Patriot Missile Support Group. While traveling to Nasirayah her division got lost  and ran straight into enemy lines.  Many died as a result of this tactical error.  In addition, she was taken as prisoner.  During her captivity she was brutally beaten. A fierce group of soldiers were led to rescue her behind enemy lines.  She is a humble hero who testified before Congress about her experience.

Henry Mucci led a division of American and Filipino troops behind enemy lines to save hundreds of Allied troops held in a prisoner of war camp on the Philippines Islands.  Following the Batan Death March approximately 500 soldiers were taken captive and brutalized. Their captivity ended when Henry Mucci his men behind enemy lines to save them.  Mucci was a military genius.                 

Sacrifice in Vietnam

During the American Revolution Patrick Henry worked along side George Washington to spark a successful revolt against the British.  He helped organize the revolution and encouraged others to fight against tyranny.  His eloquent words and speeches are historic.  Patrick Henry is the ultimate symbol of sacrifice.  His  Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! speech is legendary.  Here is another symbol of sacrifice. On Jan. 16, 1969,  Garfield Langhorn was sent on a mission to find fallen soldiers from a downed helicopter crash.   He found their lifeless bodies and brought them back to camp.  Upon his arrival back to camp he saved many wounded soldiers lives by throwing his body on a live grenade. He sacrificed himself to protect his friends.   He was very brave.  Patriots like Garfield Langhorn should never be forgotten.