Christmas Day 1776:
My brave fellows. On our recent march through Jersey from New York, one of our own, Thomas Paine, aide-de-camp to Gen’l Greene, penned by firelight a tract which captures the essence of our present situation. Permit me to share with you a few lines…
The person acting in the role of General Washington for 2007 and 2008 is Ronald Rinaldi III.
These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot, will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country, but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
You, the officers and men of this American Army must remember that you are free men fighting for the blessings of liberty.
At this fateful hour the eyes of all our countrymen are now upon us. The eyes of the world are watching. Let us show them all that a freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.
And when the hour is upon us fight for all that you are worth and all that you cherish and love. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct that you show. 
The watch word is VICTORY OR DEATH -- For I am resolved that by dawn both Trenton and Victory shall be ours - George Washington
Witnessing the annual Crossing is a great Christmas pastime in this corner of America. Listening the Washington's speech to his fellow soldiers is especially poignant this year. Thomas Payne warned of the danger of what we obtain cheaply, I wonder what his opinion would be regarding the incoming administration and the voters who brought this about?
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