Patriots and Minutemen by Robert Yoho There has been a lot of press lately about the latest Mel Gibson movie, "The Patriot." Not having seen the picture, I cannot speak to its historical accuracy. However, I must admit that I am pleased to see someone once again tackle the American Revolution in cinema. I fear that far too many Americans--particularly our young people--no longer know or care anything about the sacrifices that were made to give us this great nation. For this July Fourth weekend we should try to learn something about those brave men. The holiday weekend is not solely for parades, outdoor barbecues, or a signal to department stores to display their fall merchandise. The holiday is to honor our Founding Fathers and our wondrous experiment in democracy. The date was April 19, 1775; the place was Concord Bridge. On that one historic day, a number of brave farmers and merchants blocked the path of the trained regulars of the British army. We know these patriots as the "Minutemen". The British were marching to destroy the powder and arms supplies of the colonists, thereby rendering them unable to defend themselves. The only obstacle to greater taxation, forced bondage, and further oppression were the guns of the Minutemen. These brave colonists were not perfect; they were undoubtedly flawed men. It is likely that some of them were slaveholders, a few of the Minutemen may have even lied about an adulterous affair. None of them had even heard of a trigger lock. So who were they to dare defy King George? The Minutemen were simply ordinary men of extraordinary courage. They were not moderate in their views; some would even call them extreme. They did not stick their moistened finger in the air to see which way the political winds were blowing, nor did they consult poll numbers to see if the great majority of colonists favored their actions. No doubt many of the colonists thought the Minutemen and the British were only engaged in a partisan battle. Most thought it was only politics. Some of them thought that these men were crazy and ought to be hanged. Many of the colonists were busy planting their crops or running their businesses. The events on Concord Bridge had nothing to do with them. They couldn't concern themselves with the actions taking place on a single bridge. They wished these merchants and farmers would get back to doing the people's business. The men on Concord Bridge did not see their actions as historic. They did not see themselves as heroes or revolutionaries. They merely accepted their duty. And they had no idea if they would live to see the sunset. Nobody knows who fired the first shot, "the shot heard around the world." Yet history has not judged these few Minutemen harshly. We remember them because of their courage, and because when the smoke cleared that day, a nation was conceived. And as the spotlight of history was focused upon them, they did not scatter for the corner like cockroaches; they stood tall. These patriots stood for truth, honor, and freedom. Some of them even gave their lives. For that one brief moment in history, those simple men dared to array themselves in the garments of greatness. Thank God for the Minutemen! Thank God they didn't step aside, and thank God they didn't bow to popular opinion. We must not squander that for which they died. Like the Minutemen, we should always block the path of those who would deny us our liberty. And no matter what the century, let us hope there are always those patriots who will take their places on the bridges of freedom! http://www.americanpartisan.com/cols/yoho.htm COPYRIGHT © 2000 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. 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