Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s July 11, 1804, I’m with Alexander Hamilton on the banks of the Hudson River at Weehawken, New Jersey.
JG: “Mr. Hamilton, why are you having this duel with Aaron Burr?”
AH: “Mr. Gillespie, I regret it has come to this, but I have my honor to uphold!”
OFFICIAL: “Begin your paces … about face … FIRE!”
JG: “Oh no! Mr. Hamilton is hit!”
Aaron Burr’s bullet was fatal as Hamilton died soon thereafter. The duel destroyed Burr’s career, but it enhanced Hamilton’s reputation as a tragic figure with outstanding elements of greatness.
Read more about Hamilton’s duel with Burr.
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.
