Experience the American dream with today’s Patriots of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s February 19, 1778. I’m with ten-year-old John Quincy Adams. We’re on the 24-gun frigate Boston, headed for France. Three British frigates are chasing the Boston.
JG: “John Quincy, are you frightened?”
JQA: “Yes, Mr. Gillespie, but my father has taught me to trust in the Lord and that, even in the valley of the shadow of darkness, He will be with me.”
John Quincy Adams’ faith and courage reflected the values of his father, John Adams, and became the foundation for his leadership character.
Read John Adams’ account of the incident which he began recording in his journal on February 19, 1778.
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.
