Camp Constitution’s 2nd Annual Independence Day Celebration
Last year, we held our first annual Independence Day Barbecue at the Lane House in Lexington, MA, a few blocks away from the Lexington Battle Green. It was a good time of fun, fellowship, good food and excellent history lessons. This year, we took the barbecue to our home in Alton, NH. Speakers included Barbara from Harlem, motivational speaker Lillian Tang, NH State Rep Paul Terry, Professor Willie Soon, John Hugo of Super Happy Fun America, Rev. Steve Craft, and Brendan Smith, editor of “The Weirs Times.” With a range on our property, some attendees practiced their marksmanship while others shot a weapon for the first time. We offered swimming and canoeing in nearby Lake Winnipesaukee but with cool temperatures and rain that let up for the barbecue, we had no takers. The event ended with the singing of “Happy Birthday to America”, and the firing of a repro colonial howitzer
An excellent time was had by all with a few telling us that is was the best Independence Day celebration they ever attended. A link to a playlist of the speeches:
The Weekly Sam: We Know We Have a Reading Problem by Sam Blumenfeld
Sam Blumenfeld conducted this presentation in 1986 at a homeschool convention in Illinois.
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-07-05T11_41_58-07_00
Camp Constitution just received a batch of new copies of Sam’s “Alpha-Phonics. They can be ordered from our on-line store for $20. which includes shipping and handling:
https://campconstitution.net/product/alpha-phonics-by-sam-blumenfeld/
The Declaration of Independence and the Men who Signed It.
Mrs. Wolf, my eight-grade history teacher in a Boston Public School, ensured that her students not only knew the reasons why the 13 colonies united against Great Britain, and declared their independence from Great Britain but had her students memorize a good portion of the Declaration of Independence. They also had to know about the men who signed what could have been their death warrant if they were unsuccessful, and the sacrifices they made.
As a means of honoring the memory of those brave men and my beloved history teacher, I felt that I had an obligation to share this information. Over the years, I would help man information tables on the Boston Common with a sign that reads “Honoring the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. How Many Can You Name?’ (This year my table will be in Alton, NH.) Many of the people who stopped by our table were in town to attend the Boston Pops annual concert which would end with an incredible fireworks display. Few of them could rattle off more than two or three signers, but they left the table with a copy of the Declaration with all the names of the signers.
July 2, 1776, is the day that the Second Continental Congress voted for independence and for two days, delegates debated and edited the Declaration written over a three-week period by Thomas Jefferson. John Hancock as the President of Congress was the only delegate to sign the Declaration on July 4th.
Delegate John Adams of Massachusetts. the man who probably did more to get independence declared said this prior to the vote:
‘Sink of swim, live or die, survive of perish, I give my hand and heart for this vote…. You and I indeed may rue it. We may not live to the time when this Declaration shall be made good. We may die; die colonists; die slaves; die, it may be ignominiously and on the scaffold. Be it so, be it so
“If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be ready…. But while I do live, let me have a country, or at least the hope of a country and that of a free country…
“Sir, before God, I believe the hour is come. My judgement approves the measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope, in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it, and I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration, It is my living sentiment and by the blessings of God, it shall be my dying sentiment, Independence now and Independence forever.”
| The Lives of the Signers
One of the best books about the signers of the Declaration of Independence is Biographical Sketches of the Signers of the Declaration of American Independence by B. J. Lossing published in 1848 and reprinted by Wall Builders. In this excellent book, we get the true historical background of the signing of the document and a brief biographical sketch of the men who signed it. One of the most compelling facts is that not one of the signers betrayed the new nation. Not one “flip-flopped” or became “politically correct. When they pledged their lives and sacred honor, they meant it. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration, several of them and their family members died from their wounds or hardships. Five were captured and imprisoned under harsh conditions. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground, and 17 were impoverished. And, no, none of them made these sacrifices to promote the institute of slavery. Indeed, the Declaration of Independence helped pave the way for the ultimate abolition of slavery in the United States.
The New York delegates Francis Lewis, William Floyd, Philip Livingston, and Lewis Morris bared a good portion of the British brunt losing their wealth and their property destroyed. Francis Lewis’ wife was imprisoned and died shortly after her release due to the brutal treatment she received. Philip Livingston had his businesses and home confiscated, and he died in 1778 broke and separated from his family. Today, in some circles, the term “sacred honor” is considered a silly anachronism of a less enlightened era, and regard the signers as “dead white European males whose values must be demeaned. However, we at Camp Constitution-staying true to our motto “Honoring the Past…Teaching the Present…Preparing the Future, along with, what I believe to be most Americans will never forget the true meaning of Independence Day. Happy Birthday United States of America-the greatest nation in the history of the world. May you have many more birthdays, and may its citizens never forget the brave men and woman that have helped keep our nation free. For a free pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence with a list of the signers, please sent me an E-mail to campconstitution1@gmail.com
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Camp Constitution’s 13th Annual Family Camp Schedule
Camp Constitution’s 13th Annual Family Camp is just a few weeks away-Sunday July 18 to Friday July 23- and we are already at full capacity. Our weekly schedule for daily activities and classes can be found here: https://campconstitution.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Camp-Constitution-Schedule-2021.pdf The classes for the Junior Campers will be posted when it is completed.
Like every year, we have an excellent line up of instructors including two first timers historian and author Mary Grabar, and Pastor David Whitney of the Institute on the Constitution. We also have plenty of recreational activities, and an optional field trip to the Calvin Coolidge Homestead in nearby Plymouth, VT.
The Earth is Not Burning Up-An Interview with Climate Historian Tony Heller
This interview of Tony Heller took place back in 2019 but in light of the recent heatwave, I thought that I would repost it. In the interview, Mr. Heller, a climate historian, discusses the heatwaves of the 1930s and the recent record cold in Hawaii. (A link to an audio of the interview: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2019-02-15T13_22_50-08_00
The Weekly Sam: Phonics Based Reading Program
In this audio presentation, Sam Blumenfeld discusses the problems with the “Look Say” method of learning how to read, and why intensive phonics is the only way to teach reading:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-06-26T04_08_40-07_00
Camp Constitution’s Legal Counsel Roger Gannam Debates the Christian Flag Lawsuit on Fox News
Camp Constitution’s lawsuit against the City of Boston for denying a permit to fly the Christian flag on a public access flagpole goes to the U.S. Supreme Court. Recently, Roger Gannam. assistant vice-president of legal affairs for Liberty Counsel who is representing Camp Constitution, and liberal attorney Ethan Bearman appeared on the Shannon Bream’s show to discuss the case.
Christian Flag Goes to U.S. Supreme Court
Christian Flag Goes to U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 21, 2021
Despite the clear evidence presented at trial, the First Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the city of Boston’s censorship of the Christian viewpoint on the public forum, a place designated as a “public forum” by Boston’s written policy and confirmed by its unbroken practice during which it never censored private speech – until Camp Constitution’s application. The Court of Appeals expanded the government speech cases far beyond Supreme Court precedent.
Never has Boston censored any flag until the Camp Constitution’s flag, which is white with a blue square in the upper corner and a red cross. The flag contains no writing. Under oath, the city official testified the flag would have been approved if the application did not refer to it as a “Christian flag.” The word “Christian” on the application alone triggered the censorship. The official said he had never heard of a “Christian flag” until Camp Constitution’s application. This testimony showed that if Camp Constitution had not referred it the flag on the application with the word “Christian,” it would not have been censored.
The city refers to its flagpole as a “public forum” and allows private organizations to temporarily raise their own flags on the flagpoles. The city of Boston’s website even states the goals for flag raising events include, “We commemorate flags from many countries and communities at Boston City Hall Plaza. We want to create an environment in the city where everyone feels included.”
However, the city censored the religious viewpoint of Camp Constitution’s flag, which was to be raised for about an hour on September 17 in observance of Constitution Day, while supporters gathered around the flagpole. The flag was part of the ceremony to honor the Constitution and recognize the Christian Founders.
Shurtleff and Camp Constitution first asked the city in 2017 for a permit to raise the Christian flag on Boston City Hall flagpoles to commemorate Constitution Day (September 17) and the civic and cultural contributions of the Christian community to the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, religious tolerance, the Rule of Law, and the U.S. Constitution.
Over the course of twelve years, the city approved 284 flag raisings by private organizations on the city hall flagpoles without denial except for the Christian flag. Other flags raised include the Turkish flag (which depicts the Islamic star and crescent) and the Portuguese flag (which uses religious imagery). City officials have also never denied the “messages” communicated by the “Chinese Progressive Association,” the rainbow flag of Boston Pride, and a “transgender” pink and blue flag. The flags of private community groups include Albania, Brazil, Ethiopia, Italy, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, as well as of Communist China and Cuba. No flag was ever denied until the city denied the flag of Camp Constitution.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the city of Boston finding that the flags were government speech. The Court wrongly accepted the city’s argument that the Establishment Clause justified its censorship. However, (1) the application form designates the flag pole as a “public forum” open for private speech; (2) the city never censored a flag in the 12-years prior to Camp Constitution’s application; (3) the city approved 39-flags (averaging over three per month) in the year prior to Camp Constitution’s application; and (4) the flags of the foreign countries could not be government speech because under state law it is a crime to raise the flag of a foreign country on city property.
Liberty Counsel’s Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “We look forward to the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledging the city’s obvious and unconstitutional discrimination against Camp Constitution’s Christian viewpoint. There is a crucial difference between government endorsement of religion and private speech, which government is bound to respect. Censoring religious viewpoints in a public forum where secular viewpoints are permitted is unconstitutional and this must stop.”
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The Weekly Sam: Socialism, Suicide, and Government Education
In this presentation, conducted in Bound Brook, N.J. from the early 1980s, Sam Blumenfeld discusses the deadly influence of socialism, the promotion of death education and suicide and how the government schools promote death and suicide:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-06-19T16_08_00-07_00
This presentation along with a treasure trove of the speeches and writings of Sam Blumenfeld can by found on the Sam Blumenfeld Archives:
https://campconstitution.net/sam-blumenfeld-archive/
Bunker Hill by Pastor Garrett Lear
These remarks were made by our late friend Pastor Garrett Lear on Bunker Hill last year-2020:
Remarks by Pastor Garrett Lear, the Patriot Pastor at the 245th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 2020
BUNKER HILL
The Battle Cry No other king but King Jesus!
Isaiah 33:22
We are here today in the midst of a prevailing chaos to celebrate a decisive loss of life and property. The 245th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
WE should be here, we must be here, we want to be here. Here we stand as our ancestors did so long ago. Our stand is more ceremonial than actual. No blood and treasure will be expended today as it was then.
1200 colonial troops under the command of seasoned soldier and leader William Prescott in a stealth move occupied Bunker and Breed’s Hills.
Belligerents as they were called (some of us here today might be called that) came from CT, MA, NH, RI under command of Prescott, Putnam , Warren, Stark faced off against Howe, Gage, Pigot, Abercrombie Clinton, Graves, Pitcairn. 2400 against 3000.
The battle was tactical though somewhat a Pyrrhic victory for the British. It certainly proved that because of the American Colonial Patriot courage, Yankee ingenuity and mettle… inexperienced militia could stand up to regular troops in battle. What an important message to send to King George by special delivery post!
Our losses: 115 Killed 305 wounded 30 captured (20 POWS died) Totaling 450.
Their losses:19 officers killed 62 officers wounded 207 soldiers killed 766 soldiers wounded total 1,054. That sent the British high command an important message that all tyrants need to hear… we will not submit to lawless deeds or have our native natural God Given rights violated.
I had at least 4 ancestors here perhaps more than that, who I am attempting to verify.
At this present time in our beloved country, when skin color is being rioted over so to speak… there were some 150 African Americans and some 27 American Indians on the Patriot side. Free African Americans Barzillai Lew, Salem Poor, and Peter Salem for example.
The one of the last and longest living survivors was Ralph Farnham. He Lived long enough to tell about the battle, keeping it fresh in people’s minds as we are here to do today. We will not forget. Will we?
“Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes”… we may not be sure who said it first, but we know that when they ran out of powder and shot, they threw rocks rather than surrender the hill!
That is Hutzpah, that is Huzzah, that is Hallelujah. Let us pray.
The Patriot Pastor’s website: http://thepatriotpastor.com/