On December 25^th, 1776, courageous American patriots struggled to free a country which was but a dream.  The mud and many miles of the Continental Army’s three-month retreat had long since rotted the soldier’s leather boots, so many wrapped their feet in rope and burlap to dull winter’s chill.  Weakened by starvation, with their cause appearing hopeless, they found supernatural inspiration in Thomas Paine’s words. 

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 their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. 

By the grace of God, a rag-tag mob of emaciated farmers and merchants crossed the Delaware River and defeated the most powerful military force of the time. 

Over the years, generations of Americans answered this same call of duty; defending a nation founded on liberty and limited government.  From Normandy to Iwo Jima to Fallujah to Benghazi, ordinary men have accomplished extraordinary tasks all to preserve Paine’s celestial article called freedom.    

 This intoxicating yearning to be free still exists today, yet it appears more cherished in countries held prisoner by totalitarian regimes rather than the nation which birthed the very idea.  Just last week, a North Korean special forces soldier risked his life to sprint across the DMZ.  His ticket to liberty was purchased at the price of five gunshot wounds and today he lies in critical condition in a South Korean hospital.  It wasn’t a yearning for universal healthcare, social justice, or concern for climate change which prompted this young man to risk his life.  It was freedom, and this brings me to my point.

 Liberty’s greatest danger does not lie across the seas, rather it resides right here at home.  America haters, the progressives, own the Democrat party, half the Republicans, all of academia, the media and the entertainment cartel.  None of this ruling class will run through a wall of bullets for freedom; the cost is too great and prize too small.  Futile heroism is for the little people.  Progressivism is destroying America, so once again, these are the times which try men’s souls.