Most people today don’t know very much about Patrick Henry. Through my study of the Founding Fathers, he has become one of my favorites. He had much to say to us and to do for us. Not the least off which was his example of good character.

Perhaps a fitting epitaph of this amazing man is the one paid to him by his grandson who described Henry as always setting “a good example of honesty, benevolence, hospitality and every social virtue. He assisted in the education of his . . . children and especially devoted much time to earnest efforts to establish true Christianity in our country.”

One could list many other noble virtues and accomplishments of “America’s first Patriot.”

It was Patrick Henry who first proposed the resolution that we make a complete declaration of independence from Great Britain. It was his initiative, his fire for independence, his skillful oratory, his undeniable inspiration for the cause of freedom that first awoke our nation to its magnificent destiny.

It was Patrick Henry who ignited within Jefferson the spark of patriotism, literally breathing the zeal for independence into Jefferson’s soul with his “Brutus speech,” while inadvertently guiding Jefferson to the path that would seal Jefferson’s immortal fame.

It was Patrick Henry who sent critically needed supplies to Washington’s army at Valley Forge, supplies that literally kept the army alive, and that probably kept the nation alive.

It was Patrick Henry who stirred a young country, under the supervision of James Madison, to attempt to more fully protect the personal rights of the citizens of the United States with a Bill of Rights.

It was moreover Patrick Henry who prompted a young country to undertake the nearly impossible: to challenge the greatest, most powerful nation on earth.