A Pilgrimage to Sacred Ground

I've been there before. Each time I visit DC, however, I realize how very special this country really rates compared to all others. Please don't judge me a flaming nationalist. I'm a patriot. I admire the ideals of the founders of this great country. As I begin this journey back into the birthplace of the nation, I realize that this truly will be an American Heritage Tour. In this journey I will lead numerous Boy Scouts to the center of American policy and legislation. The journey begins.

We're going to Valley Forge. Here George Washington encamped with his struggling Revolutionary Army seeking to break the bonds of British rule. Even though General Washington did not fight at Valley Forge, he certainly fought a great battle. The army was naked, cold, hungry and discouraged. "Naked and starving as they are we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery." (General George Washington at Valley Forge, February 16, 1778). Many of the men had no boots, no clothes to speak of and no hope of victory. They felt defeated. Washington had to dig deep into his soul and speak out to the men to lift their spirits, their dreams and their prospects. This seems to be the real test of a leader. Can the leader call out of

 the followers a passion for the vision presented before them. Washington delivered a powerful narrative, example and promise. The men rose up to accept the challenge. I am grateful. No battle was fought at Valley Forge, but from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778, Washington struggled against the elements and low morale in order to overcome all on this sacred ground. I smile to think that we are traveling to Sacred Ground.

After this visit, we will head on over to Fort McHenry. This place is a famous point of interest best known for its role in the Battle of Baltimore. Fort McHenry successfully staved off the British invasion of the fort by 1,000 Americans that inspired Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet, to compose the Star Spangled Banner, originally entitled Defense of Fort McHenry. The fortress was named for James McHenry, a politician who secured most of the funds for the project. The British forces bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours and eventually gave up when they could not destroy the walls of the fort or the will of the soldiers defending the harbor. The defenders of the Fort ordered a special flag for the occasion. This new American Flag, a large garrison flag, was designed "to be so large that the British would have no trouble seeing it from the decks of their gunships." (George Armistead, Garrison Commander). This fort gave birth to the Stars and Strips and the National Anthem. Surely this place is Sacred Ground. It is fitting and special than the Boy Scouts will raise the flag here at this Sacred Place.

We're very anxious to visit the Pentagon in the morning and then the US Capital in the afternoon. We will meet with Congressman Bill Johnson and also Senator Sherrod Brown. The Boy Scouts will achieve many elements of the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge. I cannot imagine a more exciting or fulfilling way to work on this advancement. We are grateful these leaders will take the time to speak to the boys. We have deep respect for our military personnel who sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. We do not take the service for granted.

Like I wrote in a previous blog, the highlight will come near the end of our experience when the Boy Scouts will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We loaded up the wreath tonight on the bus. The wreath has patriotic colors, the names of the Troop Patrols (Chiefs, Wolf, Fox and Bobcat) and significant totems from our Native American friends. We thank Weber Florists for making this special ornament to rest at the Sacred Ground of the Arlington National Cemetery. I speak the truth we I say that these young man will lay this solemn symbol on behalf of all Boy Scouts, all people from Lawrence County, Ohio and really, on behalf of all freedom loving people everywhere.

As we leave on this historic journey I realize that all week we will be walking Sacred Ground. We will keep you posted!