A couple of weeks ago a group of us met with Park Ranger Tim, who asked us this very question. My wife and I had escaped this crazy world for a vacation in the Carolinas. I’m a bit of a Civil War buff, so I looked forward to touring a few battlefields and other historical sites – just as I’ve done in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. To my dismay, the sites here are not as plentiful as they are in the north, and I assume it has something to do with which side was victorious.
In Charleston, SC, we visited the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. It was a nice 30-minute ferry ride to Fort Sumter, situated on a man-made island strategically positioned in Charleston Harbor. It was built to protect the American port city from assault from the British in the War of 1812. Later, it was the target of the first shot fired at the start of the Civil War. On the ferry ride, I scanned the coastline and harbor trying to envision the engagements that occurred there. How many lives were lost? What were their stories?
Nothing brought the moment into focus like Ranger Tim’s thought-provoking question, which followed the history of how the Fort was built, the beginning of the Civil War, and how the Fort changed hands from Union to Confederate back to Union control. Ranger Tim asked: “What are you here for?” Complete silence fell upon the group as we reflected on that question. Because, in an instant, this tour became more than ‘just something to do.’
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park are significant markers of our nation’s past, where citizen soldiers fought and died to preserve our freedoms. Ranger Tim’s question made me want to learn about what happened here; the battles that were waged and the lives lost; the stories of key participants, and how these events shaped our country. As I walked through Fort Sumter’s artillery positions, and looked across the harbor to Sullivan’s Island, Morris Island and the City of Charleston, I kept asking myself, why am I here?
I thought about the tremendous sacrifices made by so many. Some of these were for efforts I agree with; some were not. But, that’s what history is for. It’s a ‘living’ account, good or bad, about how the world arrived at its current condition. How many people died or were wounded defending and attacking this fort? What was so important for these battles to be fought? The stories and reasons resonate, but they still don’t answer the question, Why am I here?
History is a lesson. It’s a chronicle of life, love, sacrifice, failure and success. We study history so we don’t repeat the actions and mistakes of the past.
We are approaching the 235th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Constitution. It’s imperative that we understand why our government was structured the way it was. What are the elements that have protected our individual liberties for so long? Why are we the most prosperous nation in world history? What are the errors that have compromised our success and decreased individual liberties? What’s needed to correct these errors and to place us back on the path to constitutional governance and prosperity?
I had found my answer to Ranger Tim’s question. I was here to be motivated. The battle to preserve our liberties has not yet been won.
Life is busy and many things get in the way of what’s truly important. We are under a constant barrage of attacks against liberty, the Constitution, morality and our Founding Principles. It’s overwhelming to think we can take possession of the outcome, because this is the wrong focus. The only things we can control are what we think, how we react and who we trust. God is in control.
We are here for a specific purpose. Each of us has unique talents and abilities that make us special. Our Convention of States family is built on the sacrifices of each supporter, each volunteer, each leader.
This is why I am determined to give all I can, for as long as I have, in whatever way I can to restore and defend our Founding Principles and the Constitution. That is why I was at Fort Sumter. That is why we volunteer for the Convention of States Project.
In liberty,
Brett
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