Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s Christmas Eve, December 24, 1776. I’m near the Delaware River in New Jersey with Joseph and Jacob Martin. We’re huddled around the campfire waiting for General Washington’s orders.
JG: “Mr. Martin, what are your thoughts this Christmas Eve?”
JaM: “John, it’s so cold and I’m in so much pain. I haven’t seen my wife for so many months. There’s very little food and my son, Joseph, has suffered so much. Sometimes I wonder if liberty is worth it.”
JoM: “Dad, it’s worth it. I miss my mom too. And I’m so hungry it hurts, but we must trust in God and hang on.”
They did hang on to win freedom for all of us.
Read more about that Christmas in 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.
