Are we living our own Battle of the Brandywine?
I didn’t know what I was getting into, but this last weekend I got more than I bargained for… in the best way possible.
On Saturday night, under an unparalleled spring sunset, I attended an event at Brinton Run Preserve to celebrate the dedication of a new replica Verbruggen Revolutionary War cannon gifted to the preserve. The cannon honors the ground’s important place in the Battle of the Brandywine, and will become a permanent educational centerpiece at Brinton Run Preserve, supporting historical interpretation, living history demonstrations, and community programming.
The evening event started with hors doerves and drinks. I saw familiar faces while also meeting many new-to-me neighbors, most of whom have called Chadds Ford home for decades (some since before I was born). 💛
The event also sought to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and included several speakers who offered context for our history in today’s terms. After some mixing and mingling, we took our seats to hear from the stars of the show. They didn’t disappoint.
Each presenting voice more resoundingly reflected on the past in a way that couldn’t help but implore us to think about the present. Our current lives are rooted in the past; we’re indebted to our ancestors for our prosperity. Understanding the past grounds us in the present and informs how we move into the future.
One of the evening’s speakers, historian Joseph Seymour, who works at the US Army Center of Military History in Washington, DC, reminded us that the Battle of the Brandywine may have felt like a defeat in the moment. But it was also proof of perseverance. The American military survived the battle, showing its ability to withstand a formidable attack on its sovereignty. It also bought time to evacuate Philadelphia, a move with long-term impact.
General John P. Jumper, a retired United States Air Force four-star general and the 17th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, spoke next. He emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by those before us so that we could have democracy, freedom, and liberty.
Jumper told the story of the preserved knapsack and the corresponding letter to his family of a Revolutionary War soldier, Private Benjamin Warren. Warren asked his son to pass down this Revolutionary War artifact, ensuring no one shall forget the fight, even if only a shred of its fruit remains. The letter read:
“This Napsack I caryd Through the War of the Revolution to achieve the American Independence I Transmit it to my olest sone Benjamin Warner Jr. with directions to keep it and transmit it to his oldest sone and so on to the latest posterity and whilst one shred of it shall remain never surrender you libertys to a foren envador or an aspiring demegog. Benjamin Warner Ticonderoga March 27, 1837″
General Jumper continued to eloquently discuss the fragile nature of freedom and liberty, which require vigilance and devotion to protect and maintain. One could hear in his voice his passion, dedication, and deep respect for the difficult work and the sacrifices of many who came before us, who offered and preserved for us the freedom of a democratic nation.
Lastly, Noah Lewis, portraying free African American Revolutionary War soldier Ned Hector, reminded an audience of white people about the important contributions of over 3,000 Black Revolutionary War soldiers whose stories have been all but written out of history because of the color of their skin. He shared sentiments including:
- “My people were forgotten.”
- “African American history is American history.”
- “These people helped you be free.”
- “We could not have won without each other.”
- “The many become one.”
- “Our power is in our diversity.”
- “It’s a shame we don’t appreciate each other the way that we should.”
As I reflected on the evening, I wondered…
Was he talking about 1776 or 2026?
I couldn’t help but hear their words in the context of today. General Jumper reminded the audience of the ultimate sacrifice so many made for us and the precious fragility of our democracy. Handle it with due care and nurture it with the respect it deserves to ensure it lasts; otherwise, it shall be lost.
Meanwhile, in Washington, DC, we’ve assigned as Secretary of Defense an alcoholic philandering entertainment television host who’s seemingly obsessed with the performance of sheer strength over the judicious use of a diligent military. He doesn’t seem to understand the difference between strategic military operations and WWE’s Monday Night Raw. We put this circus ringleader in charge of our “current General Jumpers”? That doesn’t feel to me like our military strength is being handled with the due care its members deserve.
We heard “Ned Hector” remind us of the important contributions of Black Americans to the American cause, how those efforts have often been sidelined or silenced, and how diversity is our strength in this country. We needed every person from every background to survive the British Army’s onslaught and earn freedom. The diversity of our country continues to be its strength.
Just in the last few weeks, however, we’ve watched state legislatures grossly and intentionally gerrymander voting districts to effectively silence Black Americans.1 That doesn’t feel like a reminder that we are all necessary to the cause.
Moreover, it’s happening in the context of an administration overtly expressing their beliefs that this country is and was made for white people. They are wrong. The United States of America was made for everyone willing to contribute to the ongoing project of liberty and justice for all. For All. FOR ALL. ❤️🤍💙
How are we forgetting this mission so fabulously? It’s ingrained in us every day in school for years through the Pledge of Allegiance. Our Chadds Ford appointed and elected officials repeat it before every township meeting. We’re living in the heart of a yearlong celebration of America 250, a reminder of liberty and justice for all. For All. FOR ALL. ❤️🤍💙
I’m grateful we have events like the Saturday night cannon dedication at Brinton Run Preserve, which remind us of the real foundation on which this county was imagined and born. The bravest among us speak truth about the commitment required by all citizens to be civic contributors to the democratic cause and stand up for the values enumerated in our Declaration of Independence. It’s hard work worth doing.
Are we in our own Battle of the Brandywine today?
So I ask, are we living our own version of the Battle of the Brandywine? We’re losing the battle for democracy today, and for many, hope feels lost. The United States has been demoted on the world stage. Our world rankings in freedom and democracy are dropping. Gerrymandering, bribery through campaign finance, and blatant corruption at the highest levels of government are more alive and well than ever. But maybe, as Seymour said about the 1776 Battle of the Brandywine, it’s only a battle defeat preparing us to win the war for a renewed democracy?
The scrappy revolution popping up in corners around the country to protect our democracy and remind others why it’s worth fighting for continues to see another day. Former military generals remind us that the work is arduous but necessary, even when everything feels like it’s broken and breaking. Black men vociferously and unambiguously remind a room (or tent) full of white people that this country is from everyone and for everyone, even as those in power seek to draw lines and create rules that leave certain people out.
We might be losing the 2026 Battle of the Brandywine, but if we can wake up the next morning, with threads of a knapsack of democracy still intact, the 1777 Battle of the Brandywine reminds us that not all hope is lost. The ongoing work of maintaining democracy leaves behind bumps and bruises. But standing back up to fight for it anyway demonstrates perseverance.
Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. It requires citizen engagement and participation. That means you. 🫵🏼 It’s not easy. Protection of democratic values requires endurance of social and cultural friction… a lot of it.
The work might feel inconvenient. Being an informed citizen requires time and attention. Being a good and tolerant neighbor requires patience and compromise. Democracy requires work worth doing.
The flood of misinformation and media manipulation is meant to make you disengage and give up. The barrage of silencing is meant to make you feel powerless. Don’t let it. Don’t fall for the tactics of those who hope you stop paying attention.
Don’t disengage long enough for them to swoop in and steal the freedom and prosperity our ancestors spent 250 years sacrificing their lives to build and maintain. It’s worth protecting. But it’s being swiped away piece by piece as we swipe away day by day on our devices, believing the barrage of bullsh*t fed to us online instead of engaging with our neighbors in real life.
The Battle of the Brandywine was a loss on its own. But it offered lessons and bought time to win the war. It led to a democracy that has stood the test of time longer than any other in history. Even if it feels dark now, what’s to come is up to us. We must decide that the Battle of the Brandywine is not a loss but a pitstop showcasing perseverance, even when the future looks bleak. We must choose to move forward and create the world that future generations will inherit.
What do you think?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Democracy is, among other things, an exercise in conversation and listening… like… really listening. 🫱🏻🫲🏻 Even when you don’t really like what the other voice is saying.
Our country’s slide away from democracy started decades ago and has taken a serious downward spiral in recent years. Despair is tempting, and as Sharon McMahon recently said:
“Despire has an excellent publicist. It’s everywhere right now: Headlines. Comments. Group texts. Podcasts. Dinner conversations. Your own private tooth brushing thoughts.”
While tooth brushing? But she’s right, huh? 💔
While we’re all disgusted by different things happening in politics and society right now, there are signs of encouragement. For a country built on the merits of “lifting yourself up from your bootstraps” (which is technically impossible – try it 🤷🏻♀️), it’s figuratively time to do it anyway.
I hope you have a chance to attend many of the events happening in the coming year, like this event at Brinton Run Preserve, that remind us of the trials and tribulations we’ve overcome. We can use them as inspiration to continue defending freedom and liberty for all well into the future.
- When we know this will be the outcome before the decision to install new voting districts is made, it’s hard to argue it’s unintentional. And even if it’s not the driving force, it’s the impact. ↩︎
