MAKE READY, HERE IT COMES!

Christmas has come and gone once again.  That time when children wait endlessly for the day and Moms and Dads spend countless hours unpacking and sorting the decorations used last year and then a hurried trip or two to the store to buy new ones.  The birth of our savior is celebrated at this time too (except in some cities where the display is banned) and is the main point of it all in many households yet (praise be)!

Now comes the new year and that series of football games eagerly awaited by so many.

What I wonder, will our TV "Talking Heads" still be saying  "Two Thousand and Twenty" while regurgitating the news?  That always "bugged" me because nobody, in the last century ever described the year as One Thousand Nineteen and-----!

But that is not the most important point of the new year, really.  What is important is that the American people become better acquainted with our Republic, yes I mean Republic!  Just read the Declaration of Independence again.  Read what the Constitution has to say about our Constitutional Republic, how it came to be, what a struggle and the shedding of blood it took for our forefathers to tear us away from the tyranny of King George III.

We in Wyoming are far away from the turmoil, cheating and averse of "The Swamp", while still being a victim of their deeds, let's not forget that!

Oh, by the way, before I forget; I wish all a Happy New Year!  And why not watch a little football.....Medicineman!

A REVOLUTION PATRIOT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA--

Edward Rutledge was Irish-American born in South Carolina in 1749 to a prominent Physician, John.
His mother married his father bringing a rich dowry to the family. She was twenty Seven when Dr. Rutledge died leaving her with seven children, Edward being the youngest.
After his early studies he joined his elder brother John, a distinguished member of the Charleston Bar, to study for the Bar.
Rutledge studied the politics of the day and became a firm believer in the cause for freedom.  He was elected a delegate to the first General Congress in 1774 and was active and fearless in his support of the cause of freedom.  He was re-elected in 1775 and again in 1776.  Rutledge joined William Henry Lee and John Adams in preparing the preamble and fearlessly voted for the Declaration ( a lot of people in South Carolina were against it).
Rutledge joined Dr. Franklin and John Adams to meet with Lord Howe on Staten Island to discuss a settlement but Howe would not accept that so the mission failed.
While actively engaged in the defence of his state Rutledge raised a corps of artillery and in 1780 while aiding General Lincoln in defense of Charleston he was captured and sent to St. Augustine in Florida where he was for most of a year.  When the British left Charleston in 1781 Mr. Rutledge went back to his business duties and the State legislature.  In 1794 he was elected to the United States Senate and in 1798 elected Governor of South Carolina.  But he did not get to serve out his term, dying in January of 1800 suffering from gout and a severe cold....Medicineman!

T'WAS THE NIGHT------

Clement Moore's famous poem goes on to say; not a creature was sturing, not even a mouse.
As a child and as a parent raising children----I do not remember it quite like that.  In fact, as a child, my brother and I hardly slept a wink in anticipation of Christmas morning.  In fact, my brother and I,  on one occasion,  slipped out of bed and sneaked down the stairs far enough to catch Dad and Mom placing gifts around the tree.  We hardly slept a wink the rest of the night.
When we started having children it was much the same.  In the preschool years the older kids did not want to expose the younger to the truth for obvious reasons so the anticipation and the wonder of it all continued on until that day, oh that fateful day, when at long last the youngest discovered the aweful truth, THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUSE!
Although in those years of belief and anxious waiting, our home had always took part in the REAL Christmas story; how the Savior was born of the Virgin Mary in a stable and how His birth was revealed to humble shepherds in the field.
Let us all remember the real reason for the season!..........Medicineman!

CIVIL WARS: HOW DO THEY HAPPEN?

This was written by Dr. Jack Dever Minzey, born 6 October 1928- died 8 April 2018.  He was Department Head of Education at Eastern Michigan University and  a prolific writer of Numerous books, most of which were on the topic of edication and the Government role of same.
This was the last of his works:  Civil War: How do they happen?
Dr. Jack Devere Minzey
Two or more sides disagree on who runs the country.  And they can't settle the question through elections because they don't even agree  that elections are how you decide who's in charge.  That's the basic issue here.  Who decides who runs the country?  When you hate each other but accept the election results, you have a country.  When you stop accepting election results, you have a count down to a civil war.  The Mueller investigation is about removing President Trump from office and overturning the results of an election.  We all know that but it is not the first time they have done this.  The first time a Republican president was elected this century, they said he didn't really win.  The Supreme Court gave him the election.  There's a pattern here.
What do the odds of the Democrats rejecting the next Republican president really mean?  It means that they don't accept the results of any election that they don't win. It means they don't believe that transfers of power in this country are determined by elections.  That's a civil war.
There's no shooting.  At least not unless you count the attempts to kill a bunch of Republicans at a charity baseball practice.  But the Democrats have rejected our system of government.
This isn't dissent.  It's not disagreement.  You can hate the other party.  You can think they are the wordt thing  that ever happened to the country.  But then you work harder to win the next election.  When you consistently reject the results of elections that you don't win, what you want is a dictatorship.  Your every own dictatorship.
The only legitimate exercise of power in this country, according to Democrats, is its own.  Whenever Republicans exercise power, it's inherently illegitimate.  The Democrats lost Congress.  They lost the White House.  So what did they do?  They began trying to run the country through Federal judges and bureaucrats.  Every time a Federal judge issues an order saying that the President of the United States can't scratch his own back without his say so, that's he civil war.
Our system o9f Government is based on the Constitution, but that's not the system that runs this country.  The Democrat's system is that any part of government that it runs is gets total and unlimited power over the country.
If the Democrats are in the White House, then the president can do anything.  He can have his own amnesty for Illegal Aliens.  He can fine you for not having health insurance.  He can use the IRS as his won police force and imprison citizens who speak against him.He can provide guns and money (Fast and Furious) (Iran nuclear deal) to to other countries to support his own agenda, and watch while one of our Ambassadors is murdered doing nothing to aid our citizens.  His power is unlimited.  He's a dictator.
But when Republicans get into the White house, suddenly the President can't do anything.  He isn't even allowed to undue the illegal amnesty that his predecessor illegaly invented.  A Democrat in the White House has 'discretion to completely decide every aspect of immigration policy.  A Republican doesn't even have the 'discretion' to reverse him.  That's how the game is played.  That's how our country is tun.  Sad but ture, although the left hasn't yet won that particular fight.
When a democrat is in the White House states aren't even allowed to enforce  immigration laws.  Under Obama a state wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom without asking permission. But under Trump , Jerry Brown can go around saying that California is an independent republic and sign treaties whith other countries.  The Constitution has something to say about that.  Whether it' Federal or State, Executive, Legislative or Judiciary, the left moves power around to run the country.  If it controls an institution, then that institution is suddenly the supreme power in the land.  This is what I call a moving dictatorship.  
Donald Trump has caused the Shadow Government to come out of hiding: Professional government is a guild.  Like medieval guilds.  You can't serve in if you are not a member.  If you have not been indoctrinated into it's arcane rituals.  If you are not in the club.  And Trump isn't in the club. He brought a bunch of people who aren't in the cluib with him.
Now we are seeing what the pors do when amateurs try to walk in on them.  They spy on them, they investigate them and they send them to jail.  They use the tools of power to bring them down.
That's not a free country.
It's not a free country when FBI agents who support Hillary take out an 'insurance policy' against Trump Trump winning the election.  It's not a free country when Obama officials engage in massive unmasking of the opposition.  It's not a free country when the media responds to the other guy winning by trying to ban the conserfvative media that supported him from social media. It's not a free country when all of the above collude together to overturn an election because the guy who wasn't supposed to win did.
Have no doubt, we are in a civil war between conservative volunteer government and a leftisit Democrat professional government......Medicineman!

BACK TO THE SIGNERS--BEEN AWHILE!

Having written about other items of interest, at least of interest to me, it is time to return to the original reason for my writings; The Declaration of Independence of this great Republic.
Tonight I present to you John Penn born in Carolina County, Virginia in 1741.  John's father neglected the boy's education so John only had two or three years in the Common school of the county,
Mr. Penn died when John was about 18 years of age and left him sole owner of a modest but ample farm.  A relative of Penn lived nearby whose name was Edmund Pendleton, widely known and well respected.  Mr. Pendleton had a vast library and opened it up to young Penn who was eager to learn all he could and he read and studied until he determined to prepare himself for the profession of the law.  He succeeded and at the age of twenty-one he was admitted to the Bar.  John Penn became very successful in his home County and formed a respectable reputation.
In 1774 he moved to North Carolina and took up his profession there.  He soon became known for his abilities and his patriotism and in 1775 he was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress and took his seat in that body in October.  He remained there for three years and voted for the Declaration of Independence and eagerly placed his name on that document..
When the Americans were defeated by General Cornwallis, in 1780,  at the Battle of Sanders Creek in the Western portion of North Carolina,Cornwalis intended to march North and invade Virginia.  As the Western portion of North Carolina was mostly undefended Penn organized a fighting force who harassed and delayed the British until a defense of Virginia could be formed.
Mr. Penn retired from public life in 1781 and went back to his law practice.  But he was again called out when Robert Morris, Treasures of the Confederation appointed him Sub-Treasurer for North Carolina.
A man with very little early learning opportunity who taught himself  through the art of "Reading", a slowly disappearing ability, should be a lesson for all of us this day.  Winston Churchill once said; "Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it"!--Medicineman!

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

After writing the Constitution (mostly by Jefferson) it was thought, or rather insisted that their should be a list of rights that were IRON CLAD and could not be "messed" with by future legislators.  The list was called "The Bill of Rights".  Sadly, the People's legislators have been "Messing " with these rights almost from the "get-go". 
In this little message I will dwell on Amendment II, what we refer to most often as the "Second Amendment".  A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bare Arms, shall not be infringed.
That seems plain enough for most of us to understand the meaning of this amendment while at the same time seeing how important it is to the law-abiding citizen.  It has often been said that what stops a bad man with a gun is a good man with a gun.  That has been proven many times.
Now in Washington is a Congress that is hard at work on two items; 1) Get rid of President Trump! 2) Take the people's guns.  When they should be hard at work on repairing the cost of health care and the Infrastructure of this vast country and the Veteran Administration and on and on and on. 
Whenever there is a shooting in a Wall-Mart or Mall or a school shooting, the focus is immediately "The gun did it, we must stop it".  "We need another law"!
There are those who want laws to prevent you, the legal owner of a firearm, from loaning a rifle to a neighbor to go hunting, for instance.  Or give a family hand-down gun from the the Civil War to your young son, and on and on.
There are now County Sheriffs (Senior Law Officer in the county) declaring their county a "Sanctuary County" for gun owners!  That is where this great Nation has come to with a situation that was so clearly stated back in December, 1791!....Medicineman!

DECLARATION SIGNERS AND WHAT ELSE?

Those who have been reading my small bios of the signers of our Declaration of Independence may think; what else did they do?  Just sign their name and go on home, and let someone else fight the war that ensued?  Let us take a look.
David Barton's WALL BUILDERS is the source of the following as well as much more on our beginnings as a nation, read on.
Most of those who signed this most important declaration were educated, had been to schools both here and abroad.  Many were trained in the law.  Some were merchants, others farmers and all patriots.  The following were also warriors, fighters for this cause and for others as well.
1.  Thomas Mckeen served as a captain in the New jersey militia before the War for Independence.  In 1777 he became temporary president or governor of Delaware and was hunted by the British throughout his short tenure.
2. William Whipple.  Throughout his time in Congress, he served in his state's militia, rising to the rank of Brigadier General.In this capacity, Whipple was involved in the fighting at Saratoga against Gen, John Burgoyne.
3. Matthew Thornton.  He served as surgeon to the New Hampshire militia during the 1745 siege of Louisbourg.
4. George Walton.  During the capture of Savannah in late 1778, Walton was wounded,  He was then held prisoner by the British nearly a year
5.Ceasar Rodney. Rodney served in his state's militia for several years at the beginning of the War for Independence and was also president of Delaware from 1778-1780.
6. Arthur Middleton; Thomas Heyward Jr.; and Edward Rutledge.  These three South Carolina signers were each captureded while defending their state during the Siege of Charleston (March to May 1780) and were held by the British for over a year.
7. Oliver Wolcott.  During King Georges Was (part of the 1740-1748 conflict known as the War of Austrian Succession), Wolcott raised a volunteer militia.  He returned to the New York militia in 1771 and continued his military service throughout the war.
8. Thomas Nelson, Jr.. Nelson served in the militia of Virginia through much of the War for Independence.  In 1778, he helped pay for and led a troop of light cavalry which was sent back by Congress afterr only a month.
So you see that the men who pledged their Lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor did even more than that!.....Medicineman!

"SEMPER FIDALIS"--EVER FAITHFUL!

November 10 marks the 244th birthday of the U.S. Marines.  Perhaps this little article will impart to you something you did not know about the Marine Corps.
In 1775, October to be exact the United States Navy was born, all three ships of Her.  Why did we need a navy at this infant status as a nation, even before we had a Constitution?  The simple answer is that now that the grand English Navy no longer defended our shipping in the Mediterranean from the Barbary pirates we were paying tribute to the pirates to allow our trade in that part of the world to continue.
Thomas Jefferson became President in 1801 (which, by the way, upset John Adams because he did not win a second term and drove a wedge between the Adams and Jefferson friendship) he vowed to do something about the Barbary Pirates and he did.  On February 6, 1802 Jefferson signed into law "An act for the protection of the Commerce and Seamen of the United States against Tripolitan Corsairs."
The Marines were trained in marksmanship and placed in the topsails and told to take out the officers when the chance arose.
Marines were called "Leather Necks" at that time because of the high stiff leather uniform collars designed to protect from the scimitar blades of the pirates.  Lt. O'Bannon, one Sgt. and 6 Privates, disembarked at the mouth of the Nile, joined up with 400 local recruits left Alexandria March 6, 1805 and marched to Tripoli and fought the pirates while the Navy shelled the city from the Sea.  That ended the threat and the tribute we had been paying for years.
The United States Marines have been in every fight the United States has been involved in since the beginning and have earned other nick-names, such as "Jar-Heads" because of the "Hi-N-Tite".  There have been others too and most of them earned and deserved, like what the Germans called them after the battle of the Somme in WWI; "Devil Dogs" because of their fierce assault.  So on November 10,2019 we honor our United States Marines on their 244th birthday, "OORAH"..Medicineman!

ADVICE ON GOVERNING FROM PRESIDENT JEFFERSON!

The date was March 4, 1801.  The occasion was President Jefferson's first Inaugural Address.  Jefferson was our third President and responsible in so many ways for the formation of our country.
In his message to Congress he spoke these words in his address:
"---fellow citizens--a wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.  This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities."---Where have such men  disappeared to and how do we get them back?....Medicineman!

AMMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA #ONE

If you have not read and studied the Constitution, as many in Washington have seemed to skipped, then read on.
Tonight I want to dwell for a bit on Amendment #1, which says: Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
There you have it, simple, to the point, easy to understand.  One would think that even a Mayor of South Bend would understand such words.  But, believe it or not, this guy (Butthead, or some such) does not understand these words, if he has ever read them, and is making actual threats to churches telling them they must do things to please Government not God and pastors must not tell congregations that they are sinning if they oppose abortion or they cannot refuse to marry same-sex couples just because the church teaches that doctrine.  The city that houses Notre Dame University with a long history of teaching and service now has a mayor telling it's people to forget about our founding fathers and this Republic they fought so hard to form with the freedoms that go with it and instead just let Washington handle it....God Help Us!...Medicineman!

JOSEPH HEWES-PATRIOT-1730-1779

Joseph's parents were natives of Connecticut and were members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers.  As soon as they married they moved to New Jeresy and bought a small farm at Kingston, near Princeton.  Joseph was born there in 1730 and educated at Princeton College.  When he finished there he apprenticed to a merchant in Philadelphia and learned the skills to be a merchant.
His father provided him a little cash to get a start in the mercantile trade and with his good reputation and solid learning in the trades he soon amassed a small fortune.
When he was thirty years old he moved to North Carolina and settled in Edenton where he lived the rest of his life.  He went into business there and earned such a good reputation and became well known among the people as an upright citizen.
In 1763 he was elected to the State Legislature where he performed so well that the people sent him back to the legislature for several years.
Hewes was one of the first in North Carolina to take up the cause of the Patriots of North Carolina and used his influence to bring about a convention of the people to call for a General Congress.  The convention met in the summer of  1774 and elected him to one of the delegates for the state.
He tok his seat on the fourteenth of September and was immediately placed on the commettiee to right the Declaration of Rights.  During that session he set about to draw up a non-importation agreement for the States to sign.  Of course this kind of declaration would put an end to his business and he knew it, but his act was out of patriotism and he made the sacrifice gladly.
Hewes was elected again in 1775 and although he did not enter into much of the debates or discussion his mind was adroit and he was placed on the naval committee and effectively became the first Secretary of the Navy (although we had very little Navy).
Hewes was in Philadelphia in 1776 to vote for and to sign the Declaration of Independence but he soon had to return home to straighten his affairs and save his fortune from being scattered to the four winds.  He stayed until 1779 when he returned to Congress but found himself too ill to remain so he resigned his seat.  He never left Philadelphia, he was too weak and Joseph Hewes was the first and only signer to die at his desk.....Medicineman!

WILLIAM HOOPER 1742-1790-PATRIOT

You who are reading these short bios of the signers of our Declaration of Independence are shaking your head, perhaps, because you are not familiar with a lot of these men that were so involved in our beginnings as a United States, and maybe you even feel a little "left out" or even "dumb".  But don't fret about it because you will find that MOST are in the same boat!
William Hooper's father emigrated to Boston from Scotland and in Boston he was married.  William was his first born and he took greaqt care to see that he got a good education.  William was prepared for clerical work and was a good student, graduating with honors.  However William decided to study the Law.
William left Boston because of an overabundance of lawyers and went to North Carolina where he had a number of Scottish relatives and set up practice.  There he rose quickly in the profession and gained a circle of friends in government gaining him a lot of influence.
Then in 1770-71 an insurrection arose involving the political party called "Regulators".  Many thought these were a rag-tag group of malcontents, they had taken up the cause of the Patriots and for awhile Hooper was on the side of the Governor.  Things changed when Patrick Henry ran Lord Governor Dunmore out of Virginia and the events in Boston and other citys.  William Hooper was a staunch supporter of the Patriot cause.
It was in 1773 when William was elected to a seat in the Provincial Assembly, then reelected to the County where he became so obnoxious to the State that he was judged an enemy of said State.  Then in the summer of 1774 a meeting was called and the decision was made to send William Hooper to the Continental Congress where he was returned the next year and wrote the address to the Island of Jamacia.  This address was a clear and able explanation of the rift between England and the Colonies.
William was again elected in 1776 and there voted for and placed his name on the document on Auguet 2, 1776.
In 1777 Hooper was busy moving his family from place to place, hiding himself from time to time and suffering the harassment of the British.  When it was over William went back and reclaimed his land and went back to work, not entering politics again. 
William Hooper died in 1790 at the age of 48 years.....Medicineman!

CARTER BRAXTON---PATRIOT--1736-1797

Another Virginian, Carter Braxton was born into a wealthy farmer, landowner in1736.  Both his parents died while Carter and his brother were quite young.
Carter was educated at the college of Wiliam and Mary, and leaving there was married to Miss Judith Robinson when he was nineteen.  She was the daughter of a rich planter thereby adding to his own fortune making him one of the richest in Virginia.
Judith died at the time of the birth of her second child.  She was not yet 21 years of age.
Braxton went to England in 1757 for self improvement and remained until 1760, when he then returned to America and married the daughter of Mr. Corbin (she bore him sixteen children) the royal receiver-general of the customs of Virginia.  With that kind of connection one would think that Braxton would hang closer to the King.  Not so, he was one of the first to raise his voice of patriotism in the House of Burgesses.
He was present when Patrick Henry raised the issue of the Stamp Act made his eloquent speech against the tyranny of the Act.  Braxton was one of those who then retired to a private room to sign a non-importation agreement.
The next year, 1770, Lord Botetourt died and betweee his death and the arrival of the replacement, Lord Dunmore, Braxton held the office of high sheriff but refused to hold it under the new governor.
Dunmore was inept at best and in-efective as an administrator and It was then Mr. Braxton was chosen as one of the delegates to the Continental Congress, where although he was not a dynamic speaker, he made his way to the center of the question.  When he placed his name on the Declaration of Independence he made his palce in history.
When Lord Dunmore made a move toward the public magazines, in 1777, to move the power and shot to the ship-of-war Fowey, off Williamsburg, Patrick Henry formed a company of men and marched on the harbor, gathering more men as he went, and confronted the governor.  Dunmore threatened to shell the city.  In the stand-off Dunmore abdicated. paid a sum for the power and left town.  Virginia was back in the hands of Virginians.
Carter Baxter served his country in various posts until four days before he died!Medicineman!

HISTORY REPEATED?

Much of the "news items" we get in today's world seem to remind many of us of what this United? States looked like some 250 years ago.
Boston was a key shipping port of goods in and out of the country.  British Troops were stationed there.  New York was a small, dirty, crowded town busy with commerce and trade (and corruption) with British troops there also.
Then in 1765 England issued the Stamp Act, a tax on every sheet of paper used and very unpopular in the Colonies.  Then, shortly after came the Boston Massacre.  Americans died and Americans were outraged.  Trouble ramped up.  More Red-Coats, more anger.  Then the order went out to Boston troops to collect the weapons of the people.  More anger.  The Militias then began to spirit away the stocks of powder and lead and hide them from the British.
The Boston "Tea Party" was one more step to rile the British while, at the same time, cheering the people on to more rebellion.  "And the dance goes on forever"!
Now do we see any similaritys today?   Are threats being made to the peoples rights? Do Americans today trust the Washington crowd who think the world revolves around them and who ignore the Constitution when they deny freedom of speech, and yell for more "Gun Control", which, by the way, just means that they do not want you to have one!
Final question; Are we seeing history repeated?    Medicineman!

CORREGIDOR, PHILIPPINES

The following is excerpted directly from original World War II Newsreels and Field Reports:
(March 11, 1942)
It is now official, General Douglas MacArthur has left the Philippines.  Prior to his departure, he declared, "I shall return."
MacArthur, his family and several advisors boarded four PT boats which raced 560 miles to the Philippine Island of Mindanao.  They completed the dangerous voyage in just 35 hours, eluding Japanese surface and air forces.
Reports are confirming that General MacArthur has reached his Australian army headquarters to formally take over the big job of  preparing a counter offensive to throw back the Japanese invaders.

Dateline, October 20, 1944, Allied Forces under General MacArthur's command, covered by aircraft from Admiral Halsey's carriers, have landed at Leyte Island, fulfilling the vow MacArthur made two and a half years ago to return to the Philippines.
After heavy fighting in Luzon and Manila, MacArthur has finally consolidated his hold on the archipelago.  So intense was the Allied offense that Japanese forces were hard-pressed to slow the advance, let alone turn it back. 

I spent some time there a few years after the war ended and saw Manila Bay still clogged with sunken hulks (Japan finally cleared the harbor in 1959) and the old City still in ruins in Manila.  It is certainly true that Filipinos had no use for Japanese in those years after the war......Medicineman!

FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE 1734-1797

This signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Patriot is the younger brother of Richard Henry Lee.
Born in Westmoreland County of Virginia Francis was too young when his father died to be educated in England as his brother was.  Instead he received a good and true education from the Reverent Doctor Craig, a Scotch Clergy of eminent learning.  He was just becoming a man when his brother Richard returned from England and Francis was much impressed by his older brother and listened to his opinions of what the King was doing to the Colonies. 
Richard Henry was soft spoken and of good manners but worked hard at trying to impress upon his fellow Americans of how serious the actions of the English were.
Francis was caught up in the spirit and when he was old enough to become involved in politics he was a full fledged patriot, and with pure heart and clean hands he backed the cause of freedom.
In 1765 he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses for Loudon County.  He remained a member until 1772 when he married the daughter if Colonel John Richards of Richmond and moved there.  He was at once elected a member for Richmond and remained in that position until 1775 when he was elected to the Continental Congress.
Lee was not a good speaker so seldom took the floor but his sound judgement and unwavering principles plus his high energy made him a valuable member of the Congress. He continued in that position until 1779 and was on the committee to frame the Articles of Confederation.
Francis left public service, or tried to, but his fellow citizens made him a member of the Virginia Senate where he served briefly and retired to follow his agricultural pursuits and be with family.
In 1797 he was struck down by an attack of pleurisy which took his life at the age of 63.....Medicineman!

THOMAS NELSON JR. 1738-1789

Early in the 17th century, Thomas Nelson came to America.  By hard work and wise decisions he accumulated a large estate.  He married and raised a large family, the subject of this piece being the eldest son, Thomas Nelson Jr.
When Thomas was 13 years of age his father sent him to England to be educated in the best schools of the day.  He returned to America in 1761 with a keen eye on the activities of the British Parliament before and during the administration of Prime Minister George Grenville who, in 1765 came up with the idea of the "Stamp Act" to fill the empty treasury.  Americans promptly rebelled at the idea of a tax on every piece of paper they used.
In 1774 he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses which promptly sided with the Patriots against the "Boston Port Bill", which caused Lord Dunsmore, royal governor of Virginia to dissolve the Assembly.  The next day 89 of the members met in the local tavern and formed a new assembly.
Nelson was a member of the first meeting of the new assembly where they elected delegates to the the first Continental Congress in 1774.  He was reelected in 1775 where he moved to form a militia of the State.  Thomas Nelson was appointed to command one regiment, Patrick Henry commanded one regiment and Richard Henry Lee another.
Thomas Nelson Jr. was reelected in 1776 and voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence.
In the spring of 1777 he was forced to return to Virginia because of a sudden illness.
He could not stay inactive long because the British fleet threatened the Virginia shore and his regiment was called into action.  However Lord Howe chose to sail up the Chesapeake Bay to attack Philadelphia.
When General Washington was calling for local Militias and volunteers Nelson used his fortune to help pay expenses.  He also sent his field workers to surrounding farms left unattended to make sure those families crops were harvested.
In 1781 when Virginia became the major theater of the war and Yorktown was occupied by the British he kept his command together and in the fight by using his own funds.  When he noticed that the cannon fire was avoiding his home out of respect for him, he order the fire to be directed at that house.  The subsequent fire killed two British officers and routed the rest.
When Jefferson left the Governors office Nelson was elected to take his place, and after the British surrender at Yorktown he found his health declining and resigned his office.It was at this time that he was charged with mal-practice while Governor.  A full investigation cleared him of all charges and he retired from public life.  On January 4, 1789 Thomas Nelson, Jr. died, Patriot, General, Governor and American!......Medicineman!  

CAN WE TALK?

Some thirty years ago the following was published in an Ad by Frank's Service in the small news paper in Newcastle, WY:
   "Can We Talk?  There are some things on my mind I really feel the need to share with you.
   Do you have any idea what it feels like to grow old---to see young people lacking respect for you?  Oh, yesI've heard it all--times have changed---what used to be important just is'nt chic anymore---it's old fashioned and out of step.
    Let me just ell you something for you to think about.  I've been spit upon!  Some people today ignore me completely---as if I weren't even there.  But---mostly, I guess being shut up in the house and never being remembered at all is the the most dergading.
    There are times I wonder what the parents of he youth of today are doing to promote the attitudes currently popular.  Perhaps a program to reeducate the parents is in order.  The kids are so far gone, the roots are planted in apathy.  My great, great---oh, goodness, ever so many greats ago---was tenderly made by the hands of a lady named Betsy Ross.  Since my heritage began---men have fought for me---stood up for me in the face of extreme adversity---and, yes even died for me.  I've had many changes in my growth---my design and the number of stars in my crown have grown.  I think I'll "bust" sometimes when I reflect on the glorious changes.  And---then---the sudden reality of the changes in attitude toward me and my forbearers hurts me so.  I've been so proud to represent the great U.S.A.             
   I guess the best part of any good talk is getting some things off your chest.  But I hope you'll think about some of the heartfelt things I've said.  I do love you, America.
                                                                                                         OLD GLORY"
   This was written during the height of the Viet Nam War with all the "antis" and with soldiers on their way home being told not to wear their uniforms for fear of creating a scene.
   After 9-11 flags flew everywhere, houses, businesses, schools, churches, and even cars and trucks.  The American Flag was very popular then-----for awhile!.....Medicineman!

BENJAMIN HARRISON ????-1791

Benjamin Harrison's ancestors emigrated from England in 1640.  His paternal ancestor married into the family of the King's Surveyor-General thereby giving him access to choice properties.  He thereby laid claimed to a huge estate which remained in the family at the time of the Revolution.
Like most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence Benjamin had much at stake. 
He attended school at William and Mary but never graduated because he was called home at the death of his father when he and two of his four daughters were struck by lightning at their home in Berkley Virginia.  Although he was still a minor he managed the properties very well.
Harrison at a very early age was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses where his sharp mind and sound judgement soon won him a leadership position.  He was always in favor of self governing and became more and more wary of the King's long arm of control, such as the Stamp Act and movement of more troops into Boston and other towns.  He was convinced that there was a systematic scheme to enslave the colonies.
Harrison turned down the Governors offer of a seat on the executive council and became one of the first seven members from Virginia to the Continental Congress in 1774.  Reelected in 1775 he was appointed to the committee to meet with General Washington in Cambridge too plan the formation of the army.
Benjamin was there to vote for the Declaration and then place his name on the document in August.
At this point it is time to point out that every member whose name was on that most important document had much to lose when they signed their name.  We must always remember that they pledged "Their Lives, Their Fortunes, and Their Sacred Honor"!
Harrison became Governor in 1782 and served two terms and retired from public life.  He was again elected Governor in 1791, but died suddenly the same year.  His wife, a niece of Mrs. Washington, died the next year........Medicineman!   

"SOW IN TEARS"

This little message is lifted from the web site "Endurance", an on-line ministry  of Dave Dravecky and his wife.  It comes from the pen of Joni Erickson Tada and those who know her story will appreciate it all the more, so here it is; when she was just entering adulthood she suffered an accident leaving her paralyzed from the neck down.  Joni went through tough times, painful times, shed a lot of tears but kept on striving. She learned to paint and write with pen or brush in her mouth.  She marketed a line of greeting cards, painted by her.  Joni wrote books, got married and wrote the following:  "What a promise!  Think of it.  When you sow in tears, you will enjoy a marvelous and abundant return on your investment.  But, you may be thinking, when have I ever gone out weeping, carrying seed to sow?
If you have ever reached through an invisible wall of pain to embrace God with willful thanks, you have sown in tears.  If you have ever been rejected by a dear one and yet turned the other cheek in love, you have sown in tears.  If you have patiently endured physical afflistion, or responded in love through a difficult marriage, then Psalm 126:5-6 could be your life verse.
When you hurt physically or emotionally, it's hard to muster a patient or godly response.  Pain has a way of screaming for our undivided attention.  But when you either offer a sacrifice of praise to God in the midst of your hurt, or respond in faith to a heartbreak of hardship, you are sowing in tears.  Take heart, for one day God will reward you with sheaves of joy--all because you were faithful through tears."....Joni Erickson Tada!
Medicineman!

SECOND AMENDMENT---

What is it that our law makers do not understand about the Bill of Rights to our Constitution (which ALL have sworn to uphold)?  I speak here to the Second Amendment!
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
So, that being as plain as one can make it, why do citizens and politicians and news media of all kinds jump on the band wagon and shout for more Gun Laws?  After all, we are a civilized people (?) who must protect our people.
Get real.  Use your head.  Think about what you just said.  People are people--some good and some bad.  It has been so since Cain slew Able (and he did not use a gun). 
Gun laws, and more gun laws do only one thing; they disarm the law-abiding citizen, not the BAD ASS!...........Medicineman!

FAMILY!

Baxter Black, Cowboy Poet, penned a poem called "Just Friends".  In this poem is the line, "We're close, we'er just not near."
Last night our family got together (that is 3/5ths of us did) to attend a dinner/dance/show portraying a USO show of the Korean War era with a Bob Hope impersonator, a band with '50's music, dancing and a crowd of mostly the "older crowd" containing a lot of Veterans.
The show was the result of a ton of effort from members of Fort Caspar Museum Association and Friends of the Wyoming Veterans Museum.  As attendees approached the entrance they were met with a display of beautiful antique cars of the '40's and '50's.
The evening was a treat for those of us who lived through that period, and a chance for those of my family's age to appreciate their family heritage!  I enjoyed it all!....Medicineman!

POOR PITIFUL PELOSI

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and the "Old Guard" have lost control of the House of Representatives; shoved aside by what has come to be known as the "Squad".  Newly elected, young, first timers have taken over.
Normally newcomers to the floor are given orders, told where to sit, be quiet and mind your manners and speak when spoken to.  Not this time!
Rep. Alexandra  Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Tulsi Gabbard, (who is now running for President) make up this team of far-left "goof-balls."  This group of "newbies" is dragging a bunch of the old timers along with them, to make things worse, while Nancy smiles and gets her TV time and makes statements she does not even believe herself.  Nancy desperately needs "The Big Gavel"....Medicineman!I

THE GUN---WITH A MIND OF IT'S OWN!

I read a story once about a shotgun, twelve gauge pump it was, probably a Remington or Winchester.  But that's not important here.  The story is that this shotgun stood by the front door every day, all day and every night for year after year.  Guess what? it never once walked out that door and shot somebody!
"Silly" you say.  Yes it is silly to think that the shotgun moved on it's own to shoot anyone.  But isn't that what happens every time someone walks into a store, mall,church or school and shoots a bunch of fellow human beings?  The gun is the evil one and must be removed from society. The shootings in El Paso and Dayton are the most recent examples.  However there was a most important difference in these two shootings.  In Dayton the police were there quickly and in time to shoot the killer dead.  In El Paso, Texas, a state where open carry is legal no shots were fired at him and he was arrested (too bad).  Just take a look at mass shootings of the past.  They all occur in places with signs prominently displayed announcing "GUN FREE ZONE".  That is an invitation to come on in and shoot us.
In some states schools are starting to train school teachers and employees the use of firearms.  Good idea.  Then take down the "invitation to mayhem" signs and replace with, "Employees are armed"!
If automobiles were treated the same as firearms we would all be walking!...Medicineman!

THOMAS JEFFERSON 1743-1826

Thomas Jefferson, third President of this United States and writer and a signer of the Declaration of Independence would seem to be enough to make him the subject of every school child, and we would hope that it would ever be so.
The teaching of our early history in today's schools may not be what our older generation would hope for however.
Many people may not know that when he was a young man he was in the Virginia State Legislature and tried, unsuccessfully, to pass legislation banning slavery in Virginia.
Jefferson was born into a rich and prominent family of Virginia and as the eldest child inherited the estate called Monticello when he was fourteen years old.  He studied Law and became prominent in the politics of the day.   He was elected to the Virginia Legislature after hearing Patrick Henry's speech against the Stamp Act and became a vigorous champion for freedom from the Crown.
Mr. Jefferson married in 1772 to Mrs. Martha Skelton, a wealthy widow 23 years of age.  Her father was a prominent lawyer and Jefferson learned much from his father in law.
During Jefferson's Presidency, from 1801-1809, he took the opportunity to put a stop to the practice of paying tribute to the Barbary Pirates to allow safe passage of our trading vessels.  He sent the fleet to the Barbary Coast, put the Marines ashore, and ended that practice while, at the same time, ending the slave trade from that area.
President Jefferson's purchase of Louisiana from France, more than a million square acres, may be his most meaningful act.  That single act opened up the United States all the way to the west coast.
Thomas Jefferson has been maligned time after time for owning slaves without any mention at all of his efforts to end it.  As president he took no salary and had to sell off  acres of his land to survive toward the end of his life.
Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 almost at exactly the same time as John Adams, two great men going home together.....Medicineman!

RICHARD HENRY LEE, PATRIOT, 1732-1794

Richard Henry Lee was born into the prosperous family Lee, a few miles from the home of Washington in Westmorelnd County Virginia in 1732.  At an early age he was sent to England to be schooled.  He was a quick study and was especially interested in the ancient histories of republicanism.  At an early age he became a devoted fan and follower of civil liberties.
Lee returned to the Colonies at the age of nineteen years and studied the literary arts while, at the same time, taking an active part in the athletics of the day, fitness of the body.  To that end he formed a military body with himself elected as the leader.
When Braddock arrived at the request of the Civil government to march against the French and Indians on the Ohio, Lee offered the services of his body of men.  Braddock turned down their offer, saying he did not need plain volunteers.  Those who know the history of that fight remember that he took Major Washington and his Militia into the fight.  Braddock discounted the advice of Washington, and died in the battle, while Washington managed to the save the body of men.  Major Washington was untouched while he had 5 bullet holes in his coat.
Back to Lee.  Richard Henry Lee was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses at the age of twenty five and came quickly to the belief that the Colonies had no other choice but to become independent.  Being of a young age he had little opportunity to speak out but when he did his opinions were taken seriously.
 He was elected to the General Congress in 1774, reelected in 1775 he wrote the resolution to appoint Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.  In June 1776 Lee wrote the Resolution to permanently become independent of England. Thomas Jefferson and committee was directed to write the Declaration of Independence and with a few  amendments was passed into law on July fourth, 1776.
Richard Henry Lee went on to serve his new country in various posts until his death in 1794......Medicineman!

KOREAN WAR-----REMEMBERED!

 July 27 we recognize 66 years since the Armistice was signed ending the Korean Police Action (War) conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.  I want to make clear that U. S. Troops did not wear the blue helmet!  There has never been a Treaty signed.
We were ill prepared for such a war.  WWII had ended just 5 years before.  The U.S. military was sending people home.  We were occupying and rebuilding Japan. Troops there had gotten used to inactivity, had gotten out of shape and suddenly suited up in battler gear and sent to Korea to fight an overwhelming hoard of Korean fighters.  It took time for troops to arrive from other bases to save the day.
My personal feeling is that allowing Russia to enter the war against Japan days before She surrendered brought on the next war 5 years later.  Russia got Manchuria and half of Korea in the sharing of the spoils.  Then they got greedy and wanted the whole country.
The three years cost some 34,000 American casualties and another 8,000+ never accounted for.
The fight has been called "The Forgotten War" but some still remember!.....Medicineman!

WILD SURROUNDINGS!

It is not just our weather that has been CRAZY, although a good case can be made for perhaps the wildest and craziest year we have had in many years.  Is it possible it has been churned into a frenzy by the actions in Washington?  Not surprising if so!
Everyone will agree that "The Swamp" hates Trump, has hated him from the beginning and will continue to hate him till "forever".  The explanation is simple....He Won!
With that being said I want to focus on the issue of new and concentrated attacks, once again, on the Second Amendment and the citizen's right to defend himself, his family and property.  To refresh your memory; the Second Amendment simply says: A well regulated Militia being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.
My friends, that means only one thing;  NOBODY MESSES WITH THAT RIGHT!

Let us all, especially those in Washington, remember  that those with murder in their heart will find a way to do it with or without a gun...........Medicineman! 

ASK? DON'T ASK! COUNT? DON'T COUNT!

Our Constitution calls for a Census every ten years.  That is a count of the number of U.S. Citizens living in your state.  The purpose of that count is to determine the number of Representatives each state sends to Washington each election day.  That means the more "citizens" counted the more reps. and the more votes in the Electoral College and you know that it is that body that elects our President, not the popular vote.

In view of this information one can easily understand why the highly populated cities and states want EVERYBODY  counted, citizen or here illegally.  Easy to understand so far.  But here is the "kicker".  President Trump understand the necessity of the Electoral College.  Without it he would likely have been defeated.  Our system works and has worked through a lot of elections and we, the people, can still elect a president, even if we live in the middle of this great country.

Our Supreme Court has said, in two decisions now, that the Census Taker cannot ask of each of us the question: "Are you a Citizen?"  I am not the smartest man in the world but that makes no sense to me.at all!  I am very disappointed in the USSC!  Middle America will never elect another President if allowed to stand!......Medicineman!

GEORGE WYTHE 1726-1800-VIRGINIAN

Having just celebrated Independence Day it seems fitting to get back to writing about the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
George Wythe of Virginia and born into a rich family and had every opportunity for a good education.  George was deprived of his father's guidance at a very early age and his mother became his teacher.  She was very well educated in Latin and able to give to George a good grasp of the classics.
His mother died suddenly before he was out of his teen years leaving him with great fortune.  George, being  young and a bit foolish, chose to spend his time partying and womanizing.  George was thiry years of age before he became serious about his education and studied law under the best in Virginia.  He was admitted to the Bar in 1757 and rose quickly in the profession.  He was conscientious in his dealings and never took on a case knowingly that was unjust.
George became Chancellor of Virginia and held that post the rest of his life.  With the passage of the Stamp Act George became a vigorous Patriot.  In 1775 he was elected delegate to the General Congress and was there in 1776 when his colleague Mr. Lee presented his bold resolution for Independence.  He was steadfast in his support of every item in the resolution and voted for and signed his name to The Declaration.
Wythe was chosen Speaker of the House in 1777 and the same year elevated to one of three judges of the high court of Chancery.  When the new Chancery was formed he became the sole judge and held that seat for twenty years.  The case came before him concerning whether a debt owed to an Englishman was binding after the Revolution.  After careful deliberation and consideration of all issues his ruling was that, Yes, those debts were legal and binding.  Probably not a very popular ruling.
Wythe formed a private school and taught students for free.  His class included a slave boy he owned and when one day Wythe suddenly sickened and died.  It was thought his food had been poisoned as the boy died the same way and he had consumed the same food.  There was no conviction from the trial.
George Wythe was twice married but had no children....Medicinman!

INDEPENDENCE DAY--TRUMP STYLE

The cadre of leftist Democrat candidates for president along with the liberal press cried out in outrage when the White House announced the huge public display of Patriotism and Pride in Country to be demonstrated by parades and speeches and fire works and fly-overs.  They yelped and hollered like a stuck pig over the terrible cost and waste of resources.  It would be nothing but "a stunt" and outright "campaigning".  It would be a waste of money and just a chance for Donald Trump to blow his own horn and brag about Donald Trump.

Well America, you saw an Independence Day Celebration not seen for some time.  The President was in tune with the importance of the day and the citizens of this great country that have produced the men and women who make up this great military strength unequaled anywhere in the world.  The day was a day that our founders would have been proud to have seen and to take part in!

What America did not see on this Independence Day was a campaign speech.  You "democratic-socialists" please take note!....Medicineman!

INDEPENDENCE DAY-JULY 4TH!

As John Adams is said to have remarked when he hears the news of the passage of The Declaration of Independence, "This great day should be recognized each year with cannon shot, rockets, music and much celebration!"  Or at least, words to that effect.
The Declaration was passed on July 4th, 1776.  However Hamilton was the only one to sign the document that day.  The other signers all managed to arrive in Phillidelphia for the signing on August 2 nd. 
It makes little difference because July 4th is the customary time for Americans to remember the significance of what happened when 56 Americans put together this great declaration and then fought a great and costly war to give you and me the right to live FREE!  Go and have a great time, enjoy the day off, but, for God's sake, take time out to remember how we got here  and what it costs you and me to hang on to this great gift of freedom!....Medicineman!

BITS AND PIECES OF IDIOCY!

Because I have been gone from this page for a time much has occurred to upset this senior member of letter writers.  Also, you may agree with me that what passes for "journalism" today leaves much to be desired.
The first item on  the list has to be, the run for democrat candidate for president, the number who want the job, the scratching and clawing at each other and with 18 months yet to go???
The second item (perhaps it should be part of the first) the stupid remarks made by most of those in the race.
Maybe what should be in first place is the mess on our border and those screaming loudest about that are those who have the power (but not the will) to do something to fix it.  Instead the rhetoric is, "It's Trump's fault!"
Next item: you will remember, a couple years ago when some has-been football player(s) refused to stand for the National Anthem and honor those who fought and died to preserve that life-style.  Then Nike endorsed this guy so I burned a new pair of Nikes.  Now today I see that Nike has withdrawn the new Red, White and Blue pair of shoes with the Continental Flag decor from the market.  Why?  Because this same guy didn't like them, "Too offensive to him!".
There is some good news:  The Navy Seal CPO accused of killing an enemy fighter was acquitted.  Now ain't that somthin?  Why do you suppose he was sent there for in the first place?........Medicineman!

WHY?--TELL ME WHY?

Chief Petty Officer of Seal Team 7 is on trial for doing his job.  Accused by a team member of doing his job.  Just what is the job of a Seal Team?  Why did our military send them into harms way?  Was it to take look around?  Or was it to kill the enemy?  IT WAS TO KILL THE ENEMY!
Now Chief Gallagher is on trial for doing just that---he killed a wounded ISIS enemy, finished the job he was sent to do.
If you have served in any branch of the military, especially those of you who have taken enemy fire you must feel a little anger when you hear this kind of story, and this is not the first.  Everyone will agree that "War is Hell", as some famous General once said. 
Our warriors have been in some kind of conflict somewhere for longer than many of us have been alive.  What in the world does Washington expect the man in the field to do?  That warrior in the field is making snap decisions every minute, even second that he is there.  We must not make it tougher for him to do what he is sent there to do!...Medicineman!

SERIOUSLY? COME ON NOW!

Alot of weird items come out of Washington (the capitol that is) but this talk about retribution for descendants of slaves really takes the cake.  Not a single citizen in the U.S.A. has ever suffered the hardships of slavery!
If we do this what is to stop some from demanding to be paid for those relatives who lost their farms and homes and everything they had during the depression of the thirties?
Many of today's citizens may claim that because they had to quit school and go to work to support the family they deserve to dip into the federal pot?
Because my dad died when I was a kid I should be compensated?
Washington and those who "work" there have lost their collective minds.  Medicineman!

"A REPUBLIC, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT."

Benjamin Franklin is credited with that remark when asked, as he left Philadelphia Hall, "Mr. Franklin what kind of government did you give us?"
We Pledge our Allegiance to "The Flag and to the Republic for which it stands", not the democracy.  So, tell me why in today's world does everybody (especially politicians) refer to our government as a democracy?
There is a great deal of difference between the two forms of government.  Republics are formed from the individual up, with every voice being heard by the next level to the next level, all the way to the top.
In a true Democracy the majority rules.  The individual voice is lost among the crowd.  In simple terms, if your neighbors all agree that you should not have a flag pole in your yard---it comes down---majority rules.  Most of us would not put up with that for a minute.  But in our world today almost every individual must do what some "rule maker" wants us to do or pay the penalty.
That, my friend, is why it bothers me when Politicians refer to us as a....democracy!...Medicineman!

FATHERS AND THEIR DAY!

Fathers Day comes around every year and cards are mailed and special dinners are served (with dad's favorite- even if it is only sardines and oysters).  But the important thing to remember is what dad means to you and what you remember about your dad.
As for me, I had my father involved in my life for only 11 years before he died.  And because I was born in 1929 (I always wondered if I caused the Depression) Dad was working away from home at times at whatever job came up.  He could do so many things.  He came home on weekends for a period of time in the thirties.
One might think that it made him less a father because he never had the time to "play" with his boys.  But I believe that fathers need to spend more time teaching their kids the valuable lessons of life.  The lessons, for instance, that you won't always win and failure is a great teacher.  Teach your child that there is no shame in being "second", or even "last".  Just try harder next time.  Learn more so you get a "B" instead of a "C" next grading term.
Fathers teach your children about where they came from.  Teach them how this great country was put together by great, noble, thinking men with courage and determination to form a more "Perfect Union" through blood, sweat and tears; a Republic of the People, for the People and by the People.
God help us if we ever forget that!...........Medicineman!

D-DAY +75

Too many  Americans today have no, or very little, knowledge of the history of our country, and , perhaps, the saddest part is that THEY DON'T CARE!  Winston Churchill once said;"Those who don't learn from history are bound to repeat it".
The invasion of Europe was in the planning stage for months.  Great effort was spent planning and organizing while keeping the secret of WHERE.  A fake army was formed made up of tanks, trucks and other war equipment, all filled with air to fool the enemy.
A little known story of fake invasion plans planted on the unclaimed body from the British morgue (the book "The man who never was) was intended to fool the enemy into thinking that the invasion would come from Italy, thus drawing German troops away from Normandy.
The invasion was delayed by weather time after time and even launched at one point and had to be called back filled with seasick soldiers.  The fleet even suffered losses from a German submarine a one point while waiting.
On June 6 156,000 troops landed on 5 beaches along the Normandy  coast, code named, Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno & Sword,  Airborne Troops had dropped inland during the night.  There were 6,000 ships and landing craft, 50,000 vehicles and 11,000 planes involved.
Some 16 million Americans participated in WWII.  In 2018 some 496,777 of those veterans still lived,  They have lived long enough to be removed from the History books!....Medicineman!  

REVOLUTIONARY PATRIOT CHARLES CARROLL 1737-1832

The great grandfather of our subject emigrated from Ireland late in the 17th century and obtained a large plantation in Maryland.  At his death the estate went to his eldest, Charles who was 25 years old.  Our subject patriot, Charles was eight years old when his father took him to France and entered him in the Catholic Jesuit College at St. Omer's.  After one year he entered College graduating at age seventeen.  He then moved to Bourgis to study law and entered College of Louis le Grande for a year then moved to Paris.  Charles left Paris for London in 1757 to continue his studies of Law.  In 1767 he returned to Maryland a well schooled and well-bred gentelman.
He became very quickly a supporter of the Patriot cause and was outspoken in favor of independence because of the Stamp Act and quickly became associated with Chase, Paca, Stone, and others in the various Patriot causes of the time.  Mr. Carroll became a part of a newspaper war with the Government of Maryland which was very effective in the state.
In 1771-1772 he wrote under a pen name effective series of essays on taxation without representation signing them "The First Citizen".  So effective was the response of the people that when he became known as the writer he was appointed a member of the first Committee of Safety of Maryland.  Then in 1775 he was appointed a member of the Provincial Assembly.  He was so interested in the General Assembly attempt at independence that he went to Philadelphia and was so well received that he rushed back to the Governor of Maryland and was successful in getting him to allow the Maryland delegates to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence and he was immediatley elected a delegate.  Mr. Carroll did not return to Philadelphia until July Eighth so, as a result, did not get to vote for passage but was there on August second to add his name to this celebrated document....Medicineman!

MOTHERS AND THEIR SPECIAL DAY!

Mothers Day is the day we honor all mothers, our own in particular.  But a look back at history of the early years, before all the advances in mechanics, and labor was mostly by hand.  Those days when farming and ranching was done by hand and there was no "Planned Parenthood" families grew and grew----  Well, you see the point.
Often families outgrew the ability to feed and care for everyone.  Then one of the kids, perhaps the oldest male child would go to work to help out.  At a very early age sometimes, say 14 if big enough to do the work he got a job.  That job sometimes led the boy-man far from home, never to look back.
Mothers often never heard from that child again, but life went on, for both.
Today we gather around Mother and take her to dinner and treat her like the "Queen For A Day".  So here is to the Mother of The Day; yours!....Medicineman!

William Paca from Maryland-1740-1799

Mr. William Paca was born into wealth and had excellent schooling up to and including his admission to the Bar at age twenty.  The next year he was chosen a member of the Provincial Assembly along with Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll, and others in 1761.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was the "kick in the pants" that stirred the people to action.  Along with other insults to the citizens of Maryland, Taxation without representation for instance.  Mr. Paca became very popular with the citizenry and approved of the formation of a General Congress in1774, and was selected one of five members to the Continental Congress in 1774.  He was re-elected in 1775 and along with Mr. Stone, Mr. Chase, and Mr, Carroll took their seats with instructions to due all in their power to resolve the problems with the King. 
Mr. Paca and his people were much embarrassed by their restrictions placed on them by the State.  Not until May of 1776 did the state of Maryland change their mind and allow their delegation to back the Declaration of Independence.  Mr. Paca proudly signed that document on the second day of August.
In 1778 he was appointed Chief Justice of the State of Maryland and served there until 1782 when he became Governor of the state.  In 1788 he was a member of the representatives to ratify the Federal Constitution.
President Washington appointed him Judge of the District of Maryland, a job he held until his death.  A christian man who served honorably his mortal life!...Medicineman!

A LITTLE KNOWN SIGNER, THOMAS STONE 1743-1787

As many of those bold patriots who pledged their lives and fortunes in the forming of our republic Thomas Stone did not leave a lot of information about himself.
We do know that he was born in Pointoin Manor in the Province of Maryland in 1743.  After receiving a good English education and a study of the classics he entered the study of law and was admitted to the Bar at age twenty one and starteded practice, probably in Annapolis.
He did not seek personal fame but was a great supporter of the patriot cause and was active in their efforts.  The first Continental Congress convened on September 4th and Thomas Stone was a member of that body.  The first session adjourned on the twenty sixth day of October, a short session to be sure but one that organized and made the way for those exciting and efficient movements that prepared the way for the Declaration of Independence. After his short time in the Congress he retired from service.  However the people of Maryland would not let him remain retired and in late 1775 sent him back to the General Congress.
It is important to point out that the province of Maryland, at the onset, prohibited her delegates from voting for the Declaration of Independence even though they were in favor of freedom from the king they feared losing State dominance.  However that restriction was lifted in June, 1776 and Thomas Stone added his name to that document.
On that same July fourth that the Declaration was signed the people of Maryland reelected Stone and his companions to that Congress.  Thomas Stone was a member of the group that formed the Articles of Confederation and then shortly resigned to become a member of the Maryland State Legislature where he worked tirelessly for the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, which finely came to pass in 1781.
Once again elected to Congress in 1783 he was present when General Washington resigned his Commission into the hands of that body.  He then was appointed President of Congress. pro tempore.  Had his natural modesty not interfered he surely could have been reelected.  Such was the man Thomas Stone!....Medicineman!

IN ANSWER TO A LIBERAL MIND!

Today we are faced with much violent confrontation; great differences on every subject; I'm right and you are wrong; on and on and on!
The following letter homes in on one issue that seems to always evoke thoughtless remarks----The Bill of Rights.  The following is a letter written about twenty five years ago in response to remarks made by a University of Wyoming teacher.  I reprint it as written then and shortened by the Press.  It is copied from the original with the permission of the writer:

"The Declaration outlines for us the concept of divinely granted rights assumed and regarded above all else in the establishment of governments.  The framers of the Constitution used this as their basic premise when they set about to bring forth this nation.  It is the Bill of Rights which establishes for us those specific rights which were considered to be inalienable.  Mr. Hanks should understand  that the Bill of Rights is more than just a summary of what men thought our rights should be for a time; they are an agreement that these rights are divinely given and cannot be usurped by man.  It is this premise that is central to the Second Amendment debate.
The founding fathers understood that certain truths, as they pertained in this case to certain of our rights as citizens, were self-evident, which is to say they are strengthened, not at all, by the words of men, for man can add not to divine intention.
The frustrations for those like Mr. Hanks lies in the assumption that because I choose to exercise my right to own and carry a firearm, that I therefore must lack the wisdom to judge its proper use, and since I lack that wisdom (his assumption), I am a threat to the welfare of others.  This is a gravely ignorant mindset, which to exist must first ignore that these rights exist in all men.  Mr. Hanks would do well to spend his time understanding the responsibility we all have in preserving and protecting this republic for it can only grant us the rights we are first willing to recognize and and by choice exercise."
(signed by) S.L. Smith
Medicineman!

SAMUEL CHASE 1741-1811

This man, Samuel Chase, who played such a bold role in the early formation of our Independence was another man born just at the right time, in just the right place and to just the right circumstances for the job he had to do.
Born to a prominent clergyman and a family well educated and prosperous in Arlington, Maryland Charles was schooled at home in the classics and sent off to study law where he graduated at the head of his class.  Charles Chase was admitted to the Bar at age twenty.
Mr. Chase was chosen for the Provincial Assembly shortly after and his independence of thinking and action quickly offended those members who groveled at the feet of the royal governor.
Chase was quick to damn the Stamp Act and to rally with hose who opposed it.  He even went to the limit by joining a young bunch calling themselves "Sons of Liberty", even to the point of attacking the Stamp Office and destroying the stamps.
Young Chase became such an irritant to the authorities in Arlington that they tried to discredit him which only extended his notoriety and made him more popular with the people.
The people of Maryland elected Samuel Chase as one of the five to the Continental Congress in 1774 while at the same time appointing him to that very important post as member of the "Committee of Correspondence".
Chase was bold and energetic in his desire for complete independence, even though many in the colonies wanted reconciliation  in the dispute.  He was reelected in 1775 and continued with the same zeal for independence.
Early in the spring of 1776 he joined Dr. Franklin and Charles Carroll on a mission to Canada for the purpose of joining them with the colonies in the common effort of independence.  The trip was a failure however.
When they returned to Congress the item of independence was on the table and to his great delight the state of Maryland lifted her restrictions and allowed her delegates vote as they liked  and ,of course, he voted FOR.
Samuel Chase stayed in Congress until 1778 but remained active in the politics of his state, becoming Judge and filling other important areas of Maryland government.  In 1796 he was appointed by President Washington to the Supreme Court and confirmed be the Senate, a fitting place for such a man to finish this life....Medicineman!i

THOMAS McKEAN 1734-1817

Yes, I can almost see the look on your face, "Another signer I never heard of."  Well don't feel bad, for most of these great men were here in the Colonies at just the right time and most of them played behind the scenes, not in the ranks, to kick-start this great country.
I grew up with a Tom McKean, went to high school with him and went to his father, the local Dentist, under duress.  Tom went on to Dental School under the NROTC program of the day and spent his years in the U.S. Navy.
But this McKean was born in New London, Chester County PA.  Thomas was a very bright student and was admitted to the Bar before he was yet 21.  He was appointed by the Attorney General of the Province of Deleware as his deputy and to prosecute all claims for the Crown in the County of Sussex.
The next year he was appointed to practice law in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, while at the same time he was clerk of the House of Assembly of  Delaware.
In 1765 he was a delegate to the "Stamp Act Congress" and placed on the committee to prepare the response to the House of Commons.  He and his associates used unstamped paper in all their writings.
Mr. Mckean was so well thought of by his peers that he became a part of almost every important event of that time.  He was a judge and the Collector of Customs for the port of Newcastle.
McKean was in favor of the General Congress and was appointed delegate to the body and there in 1774 for it's formation.  He remained a member of the Continental Congress until the treaty of peace in 1783.  He was there for the vote on the Declaration of Independence in 1776 but was called away by General Washing to bring a regiment of "Pennsylvania Associators" of which he was a colonel to aid General Washington in New Jersey.  McKean placed his name on the document in September.  He served the new country in so many varied and important roles until his death in 1817, a great American!....Meedicineman!

NOW YOU KNOW!

During the Korean War (sometimes referred to as "The Forgotten War" the adversaries talked terms at the table while the war raged on.

In one such fight was a Company of the 7th Infantry Division led by Lt. Joe Clemons.  In April 1953 they were tasked with the job to dislodge a superior force of Chinese from a hill called "Pork Chop Hill" and to hold it.  They took the hill while losing 110 of their Company strength of 135.  Then they were told that they would not be reinforced.  That order was later rescinded.  The hill was of little value except as a bargaining chip at the table.  The Armistice came three months later on July 27, 1953.  35,000 Americans died there!....Medicineman!

OKINAWA IN 1945

I had two or three friends who  took part in the invasion of Okinawa.  One was Infantry and wounded there.  One was Exec. on a Mine Sweeper cruising back and forth,moving ever closer to the shore, to make a way for the assault troops, Army and Marine.  The third was a sailor on the Carrier Coral Sea.
Okinawa was the first home island of Japan.

The invasion fleet numbered 1,500 ships with some 1,000 Aircraft, and some 500,000 Allied troops.  The Japanese defended with 130,000 determined"to the death" Japanese.
The landing was largely unopposed, but the defenders were in the mountain slopes and dug in for the final, die to the finish fight which lasted from April, 1 to June 23rd, 1945--almost three months.  The defenders had to be removed from caves and destroyed, almost, one at a time.

While the land forces dealt with these fanatics our ships were facing another huge threat--Kamikasi---Pilots trained to fly only one way.  A flying bomb, and they did great damage to the fleet.

Allied losses, killed wounded and captured were 82,600, over 49,000 of those American.  Japanese losses numbered 124,755.  The next target was Japan itself!

President Truman sent a message to Tokyo telling the Emperor that he needed to quit right now or suffer the same destructive might of Allied Forces that Germany had!  They refused and we dropped the big ones. ...Medicineman!

"OLD HICKORY"

Back when Andy "Old Hickory" Jackson was President, in the year 1833, Joseph Story was writing a series of commentaries on the Constitution of the United States.  The following is one of those commentaries:

"The importance of this article will scarcely be doubted by any persons, who have duly reflected upon the subject.  The militia is the natural defense of a free country against sudden foreign invasions, domestic insurrections, and domestic usurpations off power by rulers.  It is against sound policy fort a free people to keep up large military establishments and standing armies in time of peace, both from the the enormous expenses, with which they are attended, and the facile means, which they afford to ambitious and unprincipled rulers, to subvert the government, or trample on the rights of the people.  The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has been justly considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic, since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers, and will generally, even if these are sucessful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them."

It may seem that a lot has changed since "Old Hickory" was in the White House, but the Bill of Rights is unchangeable......Medicineman!

GEORGE READ 1734-1798

George Read was born in the province of Maryland in 1734, the eldest of 6 brothers.  His Grandfather was a wealthy resident of Dublin, Ireland and his father emigrated to America about 1726. He was placed in a highly regarded school in Pennsylvania where he learned Latin and Greek, his father already prepared him with a good English education.
At the age of seventeen he studied for the law and when he was accepted for the Bar he did a remarkable thing.  He legally removed himself from the family's holdings leaving all to his brothers.
At the age of 29 he became the Attorney General of the lower counties of Delaware.  He held that post until elected to the Continental Congress in 1774
When the English Parliament, in order to punish Boston for dumping the load of tea in the harbor,  passed the Act closing the port to all shipping, in and out.  They also filled Boston with Red-Coats.  The people of Boston were in dire straits.  George Read along with Nicholas Van Dyke organize the effort to collect relief for the people of Boston.
Then in 1774 Mr. Read, along with Caesar Rodney and Thomas McKean, were elected to the General Congress.  He was reelected in 1775 and 1776 and was proud to place his signature on the Declaration Of Independence.  During this time he was also a member of the Delaware Assembly.
Soon after the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, Governor M'Kinley, President of the state was captured by the British and Mr. Read, being Vice President took over the duties of the President, serving both offices at the same time.
In 1785 he was appointed Judge of a special court to settle a dispute over territory between New York and Massachusetts.
George Read was elevated to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
Delaware in 1793 and held that position until his death in 1798...Medicinneman! 

CAN IT BE-------JUST ME?

It seems to me, who is well past 80 year mark, that the American people today have decided that they have no shame, and will do anything to keep from doing anything (for themselves).  Now we all know that's a broad statement, and  there are many of the 300,000,000+ citizens still  in their right minds, but the list seems to be shrinking.
Our population is full of citizens ( leave out the illegals) who cannot tell you, for instance, how many members of the Supreme Court there are, nor name one.  Many do not know the capitol of their state.  Ask for the name of their congressman or senator, zip!  Even now are members of Congress who fall into that number, and some are running for President!  Egads!  Ask about the Declaration of Independence and get a blank stare.  How many have read the Constitution?  Who is Vice President?  What is the name of their State Governor and how many Senators does your state have and what are their names?
Colleges are turning out graduates who think YOU should pay off their student loan, and hire them although they have not learned anything saleable in the market place.  Oh yes they do have a good supply of "gimmees".  That includes free health care and a "fair" wage.
A few years ago we fought a terrible war in Viet Nam which was fed with draftees and was condemned on many fronts which led to the end of the Draft.  From that point on, I believe, our youth began the down-hill slide we are in today.  The draft was "Man Builder" and we should bring it back!...Medicineman!

CAESAR RODNEY 1730-1783 PATRIOT

This signer is one of my favorites and may be yours as well after you read his story.
Caesar was born in 1730, first born and named for his father Caesar.  The senior Rodney had settled in Dover Delaware on a plantation and was quite successful and became very prosperous.  When he died Caesar, the eldest son, became master of the plantation.
We do not know when he came to public life until he appeared to be a leader in the Legislature of that Province in 1762 so it is probable that he had been active in that body for some time.
When the Stamp Act was forced on the Colonies Rodney spoke boldly against it.  When the "Stamp Act Congress" met in New York Rodney and two others were chosen to represent Delaware in 1765.
Mr. Rodney became Speaker of hi Provincial Congress in 1769 and served in that capacity until 1774 when he was elected to the General Congress.  Thomas McKean and Mr. Rollock were also chosen to represent their Province.
Mr. Rodney was a member of the committee to draw up a Declaration of Rights to address the complaints of the colonies.  He was reelected in 1775 and while attending those duties he was appointed Brigadier General of his province and as such had to divide his time between the two.
Mr. Rodney was in Delaware when the final debate was taking place on the proposition for a Declaration of Independence in 1776.  Mr. McKean sent word that he was need to add his signature to the proposition.  Now, this is what makes this man one of my favorite signers;  Caesar Rodney mounted his horse, on a rainy and stormy night and rode that muddy highway to Philadelphia in time to enjoy the high privilege of adding his signature to the Declaration of Independence.
Did I mention that Rodney had a cancer on his face that develped from his early years and as a result he always wore a scarf around his face to conceal it.  Because he added his name to that Document Rodney surrendered any chance he may have had of medical treatment in England!..Medicineman!

NO JOY IN "SWAMPVILLE" TONIGHT-----

The long awaited Special Prosecutor Report is in and not at all what Nancy & crowd expected. 
Mueller and his army of prowlers, after almost two years of digging have come up with a lot of dishonest and scheming  people (imagine that) working in Washington.  He has put some of them in jail while causing more grief and financial loss.  Yes I find a little sympathy for some but they know that when you play in the mud you get dirty.
The findings of the hearings that President Trump did not ask Putin for help in our election and did not suggest he "Go after Hillary".  The thing is, Mueller knew this months ago but the people have been left holding our collective breaths for all this time while the liberal press spewes out the same old news day after day.
Did the investigation have an effect on the Mid-term elections?  I leave that for you to answer....Medicineman! 

THIRTEEN DAYS IN MARCH

On March the 6th in 1836, 189 Americans defied the 4,000 man army of Santa Anna to keep the land they felt was lawfully theirs and could not be taken from them without a fight.

For thirteen days these brave and determined men defended the Alamo, an abandoned Mission, and gave up their lives for what they felt was valuable--Freedom and the Republic of Texas!  They had every opportunity to give up the fight and live.  How foolish they must look to today's populace?

Who were these men?  They were men led by men like Will Travis (only 26 with two small children at home).  Davey Crockett ( frontiersman and former U.S. Congressman).  Jim Bowie (a wealthy landowner on both sides  of the Rio Grande) married to a Mexican woman.  And Almaron Dickinson, 36 years old, blacksmith and artillery captain.  He was one of the very last to die at the Alamo.  His wife and daughter were two of the only three survivors of the Alamo.

Early in the siege Travis wrote these words to the people of Texas:

"Fellow Citizens & Compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under  Santa Anna....The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison will be put to the sword....I have answered the demand with a cannon shot & our flag still waves proudly from the walls.  I shall never surrender or retreat....VICTORY OR DEATH! P.S. The Lord is on our side."

 We must remember that these men did not have the press bombarding them with statements from the "talking heads" on TV and news reporters (so called) telling them how foolish they were for dying for "That broken down old Mission".

Yes, we have men like that today.  Few are in Washington but on the battle grounds around the globe wearing cammos and dungarees and flight gear and eating MRES.  Just too bad that we only hear about them when one gets shot!......Medicineman!

JAMES WILSON 1742-1798

James Wilson was born in Scotland and emigrated to America in 1766 after obtaining an outstanding education in Edinburgh.  He came well recommended and was able to study law under the outstanding legal mind of John Dickinson, a most prominent of men in Pennsylvania and writer of the popular publication " Letters of a Pennsylvania farmer".  Dickinson was very outspoken against separation from England and Wilson moved on after two years establishing himself in business, first in Reading and then Carlisle.
Jame Wilson was very early on the side of independence even forming a military force in 1774 and was elected Col. of the force.  With his popularity he was elected to the Provincial Congress of Pennsylvania in 1774.  In May of 1775 he was elected to the General Congress along with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Willing and reelected for the 1776 session where he warmly supported the motion of Richard Henry Lee for absolute Independence.  He voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence and remained in office until 1777 when he was defeated because of a strong faction in Pennsylvania of Tory sentiment.
Wilson remained active in the business of government, serving on committees and was instrumental in gaining the French fleet assistance through his friendship with Mr. Gerard, the French Minister.
James Wilson became the first Professor of Law at the College of Pennsylvania in 1790 and the President Washington appointed him to the Supreme Court in 1792.
James Wilson died on one of his court trips in 1798.....Medicineman!

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER, OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM!

Those of you reading this probably studied in school how our National Anthem came to be; and you may have forgotten.
Francis Scott Key wrote this poem in 1814 while watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry from the deck of a British prison ship.  It goes like this:
Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming'
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave
 O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
There is where we normally stop singing and sit down, but there are three more verses;

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner--O long may it wave
O'er the home of the free and the land of the brave!

And where is that band, who so flauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion.
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution;
No refuge could save the hireling or slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star spangled banner in triumph dougth wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus may it ever when free men shall stand
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner  in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

When set to music by John Stafford, this poem was recognized as our nation's national anthem on March 3, 1931,  Most Americans today are proud to stand up and properly salute our flag when the occasion occurs.  Those who chose to show their disrespect should look for a home they CAN respect!..Medicineman!

GEORGE TAYLOR- 1716-1781

We are about half way through these little vignettes on our founders.  Some would say, "How boring is this guy!".  That is they would say thus if they were reading them.  Only the faithful few who take the time to read these words will realize how much they do not know---as I did!  Oh yes, we know all about the Declaration of Independence and the importance of it and the results that led to the greatest Republic ever but now have learned a little about the stalwarts who actually put it in motion.  Read on.
George Taylor was born in Ireland in 1716 to a clergyman and came to America when he was about twenty years of age.  He arrived a poor man (well educated) and had to perform menial labor to get by (young people take note).  After a time he took the job of clerk in an iron works in Durham, Pennsylvania.  The owner of the business died and after a period of time George married the widow of the owner.  Being a good businessman he soon became wealthy. He then bought an estate on the Lehigh and built an Iron works in Northumberland County.
Because of his wealth, education and business abilities he was elected to the Colonial Assembly in 1764 and became an important player in decision making.  When Massachusetts proposed a General Colonial Congress be formed in 1765 in New York, Mr. Taylor was one of the delegates from Pennsylvania and on the committee to write the rules.
Finding his business interests suffering from his absence he left the Assembly after five years.  He was called back in 1775 and helped draw up the instructions for the delegates to the Colonial Congress meeting in November, instructions that forbade any proposition for independence.  However that changed in the spring of 1776.  when some of the members from Pennsylvania resigned from the Assembly and stayed loyal to the crown Taylor took a seat and made it in time to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776....Medicineman!

JAMES SMITH-17__-1806

Born in Ireland, second son in a large family, and brought to this country as a small child, James Smith never revealed the date of his birth (if he knew it) thought to be about 1720.  His father settled in Pennsylvania.  His father was determined to give James a good education and put him the custody of Reverend Doctor Allison. There he learned Latin and Greek and also the practical art of Surveyor. His father died about the year 1761 and James moved farther west into the wilderness where he used his surveyor skills and his study of law in the prosperous town of Shippensburg.
After a short stay there he moved to the busy town of York where he did very well in business for several years.  James married Miss Elanor Amor of Newcastle Delaware and they became permanent residents of York.
James early on became an ardent spokesman for resistance of the British presence and the taxes being imposed.  He was so ardent in his beliefs that he joined with the Patriots of Massachusetts and Virginia.  He was vigorous in support of the Non Import provisions and in the formation of the General Congress, where he became a delegate from County York.
Smith's belief that war was so inevitable that he formed the first body of Militia in York which led to the formation other militias in other counties.  When enough body was formed he was elected Colonel although his age kept him from active duty.  It is estimated that the body of troops raised amounted to twenty thousand before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Due to the reluctance of several elected members off the General Congress to vote for the declaration  James was honored to place his name on the document on August 2, 1776.
James Smith went back to his business and stayed out of active participation until he was called upon from time to time to perform some duty to further the aims of the Revolution. Perhaps his most valuable service came when he was called to join the committee of advisers to aid Washington in the movement of troops against Howe.late in 1776.  The committee included. along with Smith, James Wilson, Samuel Chew, George Clymer and Richard Stockton, all stalwart Patriots.  By the grace of God this United States has always been able to find such as these when needed!..Mediocineman!