Liberty's Library

Orginially written February 19, 2007

A book report of sorts
I've had within my possession, for about 8 months now, Jonathan Foreman's book, "The Pocket Book of Patriotism", and I've been meaning to share some of its deeply meaningful contents with you.

In the first portion of the book, Foreman recounts a timeline of selected human events and of American history. Truthfully, I've never read that portion all the way through but when I want to find something of interest, I check to see if it's on there.

The second portion of the book contains monumental speeches, excerpts from (or entire) several important documents, and historic songs and verse that became woven within the fabric of our country.

Finally, the last portion lists assorted US facts including all 42 presidents (Grover Cleveland listed twice), the name and occasion of each state admitted to the union, the Pledge of allegiance, the naturalization oath, the medals of honor for branches of service, famous quotes concerning America and the patriotism of her people, and selections of the Federal Flag Code which was passed by Congress in 1942. I know I'm not listing all of the material covered in this book but I think you get the idea.

As the back sleeve indicates, it is essential that this book find itself in every home and school in America. It saddens me that American History is a subject that bores so many of our youth today. The blame for this is jointly shared between the parent, the pupil, and the educator...not all, mind you, but some. The parent for failing to instill within every son and daughter the lifeblood of what an American is and what he/she can be thanks to the sacrifice of the brave who possessed the wisdom of foresight - that something greater than themselves was beyond the horizon; the educator for not properly contextualizing patriotism nor its weight on the inhabitants of this great nation and in turn the citizens of all mankind; and the pupil for not giving a hoot in the first place.

I'd like to share with you just a few quotes you'll find in, "The Pocket Book of Patriotism" and then read your thoughts and ideas regardless of political posture.

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty." ~ John F. Kennedy's inaugural address - January 20, 1961

"One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it is the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man...let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened, 'I will not fail thee nor forsake thee'." ~ Ronald Reagan's Pointe Du Hoc speech - June 6, 1984

"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man." ~ Mark Twain

"One cannot be an American by going about saying one is an American. It is necessary to feel America, like America, love America and then work." ~ Georgia O'Keefe

May God bless you and may God bless America.