Experience the American dream with today’s Patriots of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s August 16, 1777. I’m in Vermont with American General Stark at the Battle of Bennington.
JG: “British General Burgoyne is planning to attack your Continental Army. General Stark, what is your plan?”
JS: “John, we’re going to cut off these Hessian hired killers from the British regulars and destroy Johnny Burgoyne’s red coats. Tonight, our flag floats over yonder hill or Molly Stark is a widow!”
The American flag did “fly over yonder hill” as the Rangers were victorious. The German Hessians were annihilated as General Stark and his Continentals won a resounding victory.
In Manchester, New Hampshire, the Brigadier General John Stark historical marker reads, “Brigadier General John Stark, 1728-1822. Victor of the Battle of Bennington, 1777. ‘There they are boys! We beat them today or Molly Stark sleeps a widow tonight!'”
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.
