Learning from tyranny's historical foes

By Gerard Valentino

Most people in the gun movement were familiar with the famous Spartan 300 long before the recent movie again made their heroic deeds the stuff of legend. Other legitimate freedom fighters throughout history, however, aren’t as well known.

One person in history stands with the 300 as a key player in the fight for freedom long before the American Revolution turned the sacrifice of such heroes into reality. That man was a brief part of the movie Braveheart - Robert the Bruce.

Do yourself a favor and pick up the biography entitled Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, by Ronald McNair Scott. It’s a worthy read about how he fought for Scottish freedom against the British.

As we go into our fight against the anticipated tyranny of President-elect Barack Obama's administration, we need to consider the Bruce’s words, spoken to his men prior to the battle of Bannockburn, a battle they were likely to lose as it was against one of the greatest military powers of the time.

"Sirs, we have every reason to be confident of success for we have right on our side. Our enemies are moved only by the desire for dominion but we are fighting for our lives, our children, our wives and the freedom of our country.

And so I ask and pray that with all your strength, without cowardice or alarm, you meet the foes whom you will first encounter so boldly that those behind them will tremble. See that your ranks are not broken so that, when the enemy come charging on horseback, you meet them steadfastly with your spears; and do not let any seek for booty or prisoners until the field is surely ours.

Think on your manhood and your deeds of valour and the joy that awaits you if you are victorious. In your hands you carry honour, praise, riches, freedom and felicity if you bear yourself bravely, but altogether to the contrary if your hearts fail you.

You could have lived quietly as slaves, but because you longed to be free you are with me here, and to gain that end you must be valiant, strong and undismayed.

I know not what more to say. You know what honour is. Bear yourself in such fashion as you keep your honour.

Nothing more needs to be said about what we have to do over the next four years. Robert the Bruce knew in 1314 what free people can accomplish.

Now it’s our turn.

Gerard Valentino is the Buckeye Firearms Foundation Treasurer and writes for the ValentinoChronicle.com.