Experience the American dream with today’s Patriots of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s July 9, 1776. I’m with John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress. He has just authorized the army to provide chaplains for their troops.
JG: “Mr. Hancock, why do you think it’s necessary for chaplains to be provided for the men?”
JH: “General Washington has just issued his first general order which states that every officer and man is to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country. I concur wholeheartedly, believing that chaplains will provide spiritual guidance for the difficult times ahead.”
Read the full text of George Washington’s General Orders, written July 9, 1776.
John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.
