Tag Archives: civil-war

The Red Badge of Courage…

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The book, The Red Badge of Courage, was written by Stephen Crane in 1895. It is historical fiction about a soldier in the Civil War. The book shows the recruitment, training and combat of a US soldier. The soldier goes through bravado, fear, the loss of innocence and courage of this individual. He earns a red ribbon pinned to his chest as acknowledgment of his courage. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln only authorized one medal to be given to any US soldier for valor beyond the call of duty. That medal was the Congressional Medal of Honor. A total of 1523 medals were awarded for actions during the Civil War.

One interesting story from the Civil War was about 1st Lieutenant Arthur MacArthur, Jr. He served in the 24th Wisconsin regiment. The 24th Wisconsin was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major General George Thomas. After the battle of Chickamauga, they were in Chattanooga. General Grant ordered General Thomas to fight an uphill battle on Missionary ridge in Chattanooga. This was to be a diversion, while 2 other armies flanked Missionary Ridge and routed the Confederates led by General Braxton Bragg. As the Army of the Cumberland moved up the hill, the Confederate fire became withering. 56,000 US troops did not stop where they were suppose to. They began a systematic charge up the Missionary Ridge. About half way up the ridge, the charge became to falter. The 24th Wisconsin’s color Sargent was killed. Then 1st Lt. Arthur MacArthur picked up the colors and rallied the troops running up to the top of Missionary Ridge. The Confederates were so surprised, they began running away. For his actions that day, 1st Lt. Arthur MacArthur received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Almost 80 years later, his son, General Douglas MacArthur received his Congressional Medal of Honor.

Courage is not the lack of fear. It is doing what is right despite the fear. Anyone who has served in combat knows what fear is like. But fear is not just on the battlefield. Fear can come from anywhere. I have seen people afraid of their own shadow. It can be debilitating. It is doubt and unbelief in yourself. This is where courage comes in. If you can believe that you can make the difference, then you should. Whether it is in the classroom, business office, courtroom or battlefield. Take the step, exhibit courage. What do you have to lose? If you don’t, you have failed anyway. So, earn the Red Badge of Courage by standing up and being counted.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Power of Our words.

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After the battle of Gettysburg, there was a ceremony to dedicate the Soldiers National Cemetery. The organizing people invited Edward Everett to be the main speaker. They also invited President Lincoln. Everett spoke for two hours before President Lincoln spoke. Lincoln knew the Everett would be long winded. So, he wrote his most famous speech on a piece of cardboard. His speech was exactly 272 words. The photographers didn’t have time to set up their cameras, by the time President Lincoln finish the Gettysburg Address. Abraham Lincoln’s most famous address that is written on the wall of the Lincoln Memorial. No body remembers what Edward Everett said. Even after 168 years, everybody knows the Gettysburg Address. That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth.

We learn to speak when we are young. We can’t wait to able to speak. Many times I have seen small children run around screaming with other children. They were not saying a word, but they were communicating with each other. It can get irritating because of the noise level. But communicating is a real need in our lives. We strive to be understood and become frustrated when we are not. Some people are chatter boxes, while some don’t say two word. Have you ever met someone that didn’t say anything, but you knew what he was saying anyway? It’s interesting how that works. We learn communication all of our lives. Yet, some things are a puzzle.

Words have power. Speaking must be done judiciously. We can encourage, discourage, up lift or destroy with our words. I heard this many years ago, but have found it to be true. You can’t take back hurtful words or reverse what you said. It is like taking a box of feathers to the top of a mountain, then releasing them. Then try to gather all of them back again. You can’t. Our words have a power of its own.

Using our words correctly takes self discipline. We have to learn to speak at the right time. Everybody knows the fable of the boy who cried wolf. In the end, no one believed a word he said. It is important that people can believe what you say. It is not only for your sake, but for others also. This is where using our word correctly comes into play. What if all your words come to pass, just as you have spoken them. I have heard many people say, that kills me or I can’t do that. Guess what, those words come to pass whether or not we want them to. It’s not that we can’t speak. It is speaking the truth and live that way. For as the mouth speaks, so are we.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Our Soldiers and Veterans.

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I have four sons. Three of them served Operation Iraqi Freedom. My older brother and I served during Vietnam War. I have a cousin that died serving during the Vietnam War. I have a cousin that died in Korea with the 1st Marines. My dad and his two brothers served during WWII. Whenever there was a need for soldiers, my family answered the call. The average age of a soldier is in the military is 18. That means they are giving their youth to serve their country. My family served as Minute Men in Massachusetts and in the Atchafalaya Militia during the American Revolution.

During each and every war that America served in, men gathered to answer the call. When they gathered, their families were there to see them off. The families did not know whether or not they would see their sons again. So they laughed and cried and cheered them on. Do you know how many times since the founding of our country that families gathered to see their sons of to war?

I want to tell you about an experience that I had when we saw our second son off to the Iraqi war. We were gathered with many families. Some were crying, some were laughing and everybody was being brave for their soldier. We got there about two hours before they left. The longer I was there, I kept hearing a song go through my head. I couldn’t shake the song out of my head. In fact, it got louder. The song was from the American Revolution called “Johnnie has gone for a soldier”. The more I heard the song, I looked around and thought about how many times families have gathered to send the children off to war. And how we were no different than those families in the American Revolution. As much as we say that things have changed, they still remain the same.

I am proud that my children have served and that my family has served also. Honor the men and women that serve our country. They have given their youth for your freedom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com