Dave2112
Level of Cherry Feather
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2001
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With all of the tributes and remembrances surrounding us today, I thought a little pride might be in order. The date of September 11th has a dual importance for those of us in upstate New York, especially those of us in the Plattsburgh region. This date had long been a legislated day of remembrance, not for the events of 9/11/2001, but for the events of 9/11/1814.
This was the day that for all intents and purposes, America ultimately won her freedom. It was on this day that the Battle of Plattsburgh took place, considered by many to be the greatest victory in American naval history. Thomas McDonnough and his troops, ships and smaller force turned back the 14,000 strong invading British fleet, the same fleet that had recently defeated Napoleon, on Lake Champlain. Had the British taken Plattsburgh, a run down the “corridor” of the Champlain Valley would have been unstoppable, and most of New England re-taken. Instead, the British were soundly defeated and turned back to Canada. So many of our schoolchildren learn of Yorktown, Bunker Hill and the other, more famous battles of the American Revolution, but few know how the final anvil was dropped right here in this small section of lake in upstate New York.
The parallels of these two dates, taking place at almost the same time of morning but separated by 187 years, is not lost on those of us here. An attack on American soil, coming early in the morning with little or no warning, by a force intent on bringing us to our knees and bending our will.
A failure both times.
Although a huge, world-changing victory was claimed on 9/11/1814, there was still a victory in 9/11/2001. We didn’t bend to a foreign will, the same as in 1814. We haven’t let anything change our way of life, our desires or our ideals…the same as in 1814.
Here in our community, part of the flame of tribute from Ground Zero is being transported up here to take part in the Battle of Plattsburgh ceremonies, forever linking these two events that have so shaped New York.
Perhaps there is something about this date that can remembered for the good of America. We took our most devastating hit, but also achieved our greatest victory on September 11th.
And we’re still going strong.
This was the day that for all intents and purposes, America ultimately won her freedom. It was on this day that the Battle of Plattsburgh took place, considered by many to be the greatest victory in American naval history. Thomas McDonnough and his troops, ships and smaller force turned back the 14,000 strong invading British fleet, the same fleet that had recently defeated Napoleon, on Lake Champlain. Had the British taken Plattsburgh, a run down the “corridor” of the Champlain Valley would have been unstoppable, and most of New England re-taken. Instead, the British were soundly defeated and turned back to Canada. So many of our schoolchildren learn of Yorktown, Bunker Hill and the other, more famous battles of the American Revolution, but few know how the final anvil was dropped right here in this small section of lake in upstate New York.
The parallels of these two dates, taking place at almost the same time of morning but separated by 187 years, is not lost on those of us here. An attack on American soil, coming early in the morning with little or no warning, by a force intent on bringing us to our knees and bending our will.
A failure both times.
Although a huge, world-changing victory was claimed on 9/11/1814, there was still a victory in 9/11/2001. We didn’t bend to a foreign will, the same as in 1814. We haven’t let anything change our way of life, our desires or our ideals…the same as in 1814.
Here in our community, part of the flame of tribute from Ground Zero is being transported up here to take part in the Battle of Plattsburgh ceremonies, forever linking these two events that have so shaped New York.
Perhaps there is something about this date that can remembered for the good of America. We took our most devastating hit, but also achieved our greatest victory on September 11th.
And we’re still going strong.
