even though marilyn monroe was not related to the president i nevertheless voted for that because you made me look it up...generally i don't bite but this once you got me.
Yeah, but didn't you giggle just a tiny bit when you saw the name?! At least one real president had--cough, ahem--a close relationship with her. DS is a newspaper man, after all.
12/25/25: I too went for MM, who, the DNA tests have revealed, was actually a great (26x)-granddaughter of George Washington (source: "Little Known Facts of The American Revolution," Volume V, pp. 459-60).
The United States of America “One Nation Under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!” Let us all pray that the sacrifices of our founding Fathers and the millions who also fought and died for this magnificent country did not do so in vane.
As Christmas Day settles on my home, it's a pensive time - time to review the year, family, good fortune, and all things for which to be grateful. I'm not in the habit of recommending OTHER substacks on perfectly good blogs, but I was sent this by an old friend this morning. Even I had forgotten all the good things done by The Orange Man for which we should ALL be indebted.
Let us pray that in the coming year that not only can past damage be reversed but that we may resume the trip forward as The Best Nation That Ever Was. And pray for the man who gave up so much - even nearly his life - for the love of us all.
You never cease to amaze, Mr. Surber - and inspire!
Your almost encyclopedic knowledge of our history, particularly those more obscure but equally astonishing anecdotal bits of it, is simply anstounding and a blessing for us, your readers to learn about.
A VERY Merry Christmas to you and yours, and all the members and readers in the Surber community!
May God grant this country and us all the most blessed and prosperous New Year - ever! 🙏🇺🇸❤️
I see that Monroe died on the 4th of July. Ironically Thomas Jefferson and John Adams also died on the 4th of July, theirs in the same year. Great day to celebrate our country’s birthday and their contribution
In the days before the battle, as morale was sagging and men were thinking about returning home, Washington was acutely aware that the British would then hunt down those men, arrest, imprison and eventually execute them for treason.
His efforts to salvage the army were also to save their lives. King Wenceslas isn't the only hero we should laud on the feast of Stephen, we have 2400 more to thank GOD for.
This reads like Charles Dickens as in a Tale of Two Cities. It is inspiring even today and gives me goosebumps! Think about just how pathetically weak Occasional Cortex, Waltz, Kamalduh and that Forrest Gump with dementia really are. Somehow we still survived as a nation.
“These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the 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. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
Given that I grew up in a time when our history was celebrated, not denigrated, I suppose I knew this- knew the impossible odds faced by these men- but perspective is the core ingredient in inspiration. If ever one needed a reminder of the “hidden hand” (800 POWs?) aided by enemy arrogance & history (St. Stephen) & cause (Thomas Paine- how many of those soldiers do you suppose could even read), it is now.
Often when I read a Don Surber column I feel I have been in a continuing ed session and wonder how I have not learned this info! It’s well researched and written. How humbling to discover more of the character of the men, and the cost they paid for our freedom. Mill stones tied around the necks seem appropriate for those who hide this info or actively encourage people to despise/hate our country. God preserved these courageous men. He is not mocked! Why do we think we have less need to be vigilant, courageous, and people taking grateful action to preserve this gift/country. Imperfect men were used then. Imperfect men/women will be used now. God will fill our deficiencies, and in the end receive the glory. I will be sharing this column with others as a Christmas gift. Thank you, Don, and a Blessed Christmas. Perhaps there will be a Mustang for you in lieu of a Bentley.
FTR - the Hessians were hired mercenaries. The advent of the American Revolution caught Britain with a rather small standing army so to augment this King George III hired soldiers from several of the German provincial states - though primarily from Hesse-Cassel (hence the name “Hessian”) - to put down the rebellion. Important to note @ this was still in the time of Friederich der GroBe (Frederick The Great) of Prussia who led his nation to victory - allied with Britain- in The Seven Year’s War 1756-1763. In the U.S. we call it “The French & Indian War”. The Prussian Army of this time was considered THE finest in the world with Britain in second place. This is why George Washington’s discovery of the Prussian drill master Baron von Steuben was considered such an exciting windfall; no army on earth could match the Prussians in disciple, drill, or martial conduct. And Washington needed someone who could school his men in the European tactics of the period. As we can see from the situation that unfolded around Colonel Rall, it is best not to be caught asleep @ the switch!
Thank you, Don, for sharing your wonderful writing. Merry Christmas
Thank you. You and all my readers make my Christmases merry.
even though marilyn monroe was not related to the president i nevertheless voted for that because you made me look it up...generally i don't bite but this once you got me.
Yeah, but didn't you giggle just a tiny bit when you saw the name?! At least one real president had--cough, ahem--a close relationship with her. DS is a newspaper man, after all.
one president and his two senatorial siblings…
12/25/25: I too went for MM, who, the DNA tests have revealed, was actually a great (26x)-granddaughter of George Washington (source: "Little Known Facts of The American Revolution," Volume V, pp. 459-60).
S
The United States of America “One Nation Under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!” Let us all pray that the sacrifices of our founding Fathers and the millions who also fought and died for this magnificent country did not do so in vane.
E PLURIBUS UNUM
not according to jacka$$e$ and the phony climatologist Algore.
Love this article. I learned something new about the Founding Fathers on Christmas morning 2025....and I thought I knew everything. :)
It seems I learn something new every time I read Mr Surber’s writing. Nearly every sentence of this article was news to me!
Pardon me for saying so, but I think we should get CEU's for all of them, especially when we subscribe. (Wink-Wink)
May God raise up similarly brave, resourceful, and determined patriots to protect our country now. We have a fantastic history to celebrate.
Merry Christmas to all.
As Christmas Day settles on my home, it's a pensive time - time to review the year, family, good fortune, and all things for which to be grateful. I'm not in the habit of recommending OTHER substacks on perfectly good blogs, but I was sent this by an old friend this morning. Even I had forgotten all the good things done by The Orange Man for which we should ALL be indebted.
https://jackcashill.substack.com/p/celebrating-the-best-year-for-american
Let us pray that in the coming year that not only can past damage be reversed but that we may resume the trip forward as The Best Nation That Ever Was. And pray for the man who gave up so much - even nearly his life - for the love of us all.
You never cease to amaze, Mr. Surber - and inspire!
Your almost encyclopedic knowledge of our history, particularly those more obscure but equally astonishing anecdotal bits of it, is simply anstounding and a blessing for us, your readers to learn about.
A VERY Merry Christmas to you and yours, and all the members and readers in the Surber community!
May God grant this country and us all the most blessed and prosperous New Year - ever! 🙏🇺🇸❤️
I see that Monroe died on the 4th of July. Ironically Thomas Jefferson and John Adams also died on the 4th of July, theirs in the same year. Great day to celebrate our country’s birthday and their contribution
The bullet finally did him in
In the days before the battle, as morale was sagging and men were thinking about returning home, Washington was acutely aware that the British would then hunt down those men, arrest, imprison and eventually execute them for treason.
His efforts to salvage the army were also to save their lives. King Wenceslas isn't the only hero we should laud on the feast of Stephen, we have 2400 more to thank GOD for.
Merry Christmas Don
This reads like Charles Dickens as in a Tale of Two Cities. It is inspiring even today and gives me goosebumps! Think about just how pathetically weak Occasional Cortex, Waltz, Kamalduh and that Forrest Gump with dementia really are. Somehow we still survived as a nation.
“These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the 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. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
Merry Christmas to you Mr. S and all of your readers.
What an excellent history lesson today
Given that I grew up in a time when our history was celebrated, not denigrated, I suppose I knew this- knew the impossible odds faced by these men- but perspective is the core ingredient in inspiration. If ever one needed a reminder of the “hidden hand” (800 POWs?) aided by enemy arrogance & history (St. Stephen) & cause (Thomas Paine- how many of those soldiers do you suppose could even read), it is now.
There were more literate people then than there are now in this country. Look it up.
I believe you & how sad.
Often when I read a Don Surber column I feel I have been in a continuing ed session and wonder how I have not learned this info! It’s well researched and written. How humbling to discover more of the character of the men, and the cost they paid for our freedom. Mill stones tied around the necks seem appropriate for those who hide this info or actively encourage people to despise/hate our country. God preserved these courageous men. He is not mocked! Why do we think we have less need to be vigilant, courageous, and people taking grateful action to preserve this gift/country. Imperfect men were used then. Imperfect men/women will be used now. God will fill our deficiencies, and in the end receive the glory. I will be sharing this column with others as a Christmas gift. Thank you, Don, and a Blessed Christmas. Perhaps there will be a Mustang for you in lieu of a Bentley.
West Virginia wisdom cannot be beat.
Amen and amen to all you’ve so eloquently written!!
Great laugh on the Marilyn option.😆
Thanks!
I knew a fair amount about the Battle of Trenton thanks to David McCullough. Now I know the rest of the story. Thanks, Don.
Merry Christmas Don, Mrs Surber and family!
I appreciate the historical addition to the Crossing of the Delaware story.
Thank you and Merry Christmas. Now to get eats at Sheetz
We’ve been to that site and know how narrow the Delaware is there.
In past days Princeton was proud of this heritage and the early battle at Trenton and Princeton which raised patriots morale.
May we return to those sentiments in our 250th year celebration.
Thanks for reminding us of our great history. We have much to live up to.
Ditto!
FTR - the Hessians were hired mercenaries. The advent of the American Revolution caught Britain with a rather small standing army so to augment this King George III hired soldiers from several of the German provincial states - though primarily from Hesse-Cassel (hence the name “Hessian”) - to put down the rebellion. Important to note @ this was still in the time of Friederich der GroBe (Frederick The Great) of Prussia who led his nation to victory - allied with Britain- in The Seven Year’s War 1756-1763. In the U.S. we call it “The French & Indian War”. The Prussian Army of this time was considered THE finest in the world with Britain in second place. This is why George Washington’s discovery of the Prussian drill master Baron von Steuben was considered such an exciting windfall; no army on earth could match the Prussians in disciple, drill, or martial conduct. And Washington needed someone who could school his men in the European tactics of the period. As we can see from the situation that unfolded around Colonel Rall, it is best not to be caught asleep @ the switch!
Merry Christmas All!!!