Civic Values

It is Christmas night on December 25, 1776. A large number of men are away from their homes and families; crossing the Delaware River amid bitter cold, hail, and strong winds. They are the Continental Army, trying to defeat the British. What would drive a man to leave his family, and fight in a war that seems hopeless? This man fights for what he believes in, and has the courage to do so. Courage is the most enduring value that can be seen throughout our country's history. The men of our country had courage, first of all in making a new country, whilst fighting the British oppression, and in later years, the Germans, among other events. Every day we have to show courage for what we believe in, and stand up for what it right, regardless of what other people may think.

When our founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, they risked their lives to build a new country. By signing their name, they were broadcasting to the British government which of them were in charge of overthrowing the government. It would take a lot of courage to sign your name, knowing that you could be taken prisoner the next day, tried for treason, and killed. The man who signed his name the largest was John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress. He had exceptional courage, because signing his name that large was a direct act of defiance. In early 1776, a large reward was offered for the capture of several leading figures. Hancock was one of them. One story is that on signing the Declaration, Hancock commented, "The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward." This shows that he had extraordinary courage. One person who describes courage well is Albert Einstein. “Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it.” To put this quote into real life, you have to have courage. If someone tells you to do something that you don't agree with, it takes courage to stand up and say no. If you don't firmly...