"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
Thomas Paine wrote these remarkable words in December 1776 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. They were published in his pamphlet American Crisis. His previous pamphlet, Common Sense, published a year earlier, was known to have had a powerful influence on the drafters of the Declaration of Independence.
Fort Lee, New Jersey?
Mostly I listen to podcasts on my IPod and gaze blankly at the frantic cell phone caller, manic makeup putter-oner, and the most breathtaking cityscape on earth.
Thomas Paine wrote these remarkable words in December 1776 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. They were published in his pamphlet American Crisis. His previous pamphlet, Common Sense, published a year earlier, was known to have had a powerful influence on the drafters of the Declaration of Independence.
Fort Lee, New Jersey?
For most of us, Fort Lee is the place where traffic backs up for the George Washington Bridge toll. In fact, the location has been a well used Hudson River crossing since the Revolutionary War when Fort Lee was a supply center for the New York defensive fortifications across the river. George Washington made his retreat in November 1776 from New York, across the river, and down what is now Main Street in Fort Lee. It was upon this sight, at our young nation's darkest hour, that Thomas Paine wrote his most remembered line.
These days, I cross the Hudson River every day by foot. It is my morning routine. The sun is just rising, the air is crisp, and the views upstream, downstream, and right in front of my face are amazing. As readers of this space are aware, I'm particularly fond of the Little Red Lighthouse that protects the shore on the New York side.
The walk over is into the rising sun and affords the best views of midtown Manhattan and the constant maritime traffic below.
I occasionally think of General Washington and his ragged boats of refugees from the Battle of New York far below who, under cover of darkness, were fleeing for the very life of our country. Other times I look up and marvel at the daring of the steel workers who built this magnificent structure, many of whom gave their lives. There was no OSHA back then.
Mostly I listen to podcasts on my IPod and gaze blankly at the frantic cell phone caller, manic makeup putter-oner, and the most breathtaking cityscape on earth.
Thanks Thomas.
Thanks George.
Thank you Fort Lee.
And thank you for visiting.
Jack
