On this Memorial Day...

[Autumn Daze]

let us ponder some quotes from one of our founding fathers. Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.

As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also.

Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook beneath it.

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.

God Bless America and All those that served...