“So, they all wrote it?” Cam asked.
“Yes, they all contributed, but Thomas Jefferson is known as the main writer. Congress wanted to make sure that all colonies were represented,” I said.
I thought at some point Cam might get bored but he remained intently focused. Just then a loud debate began. One member of Congress stood and began to speak in favor of the declaration; another then stood and spoke against it. The debate started to become heated.
“What are they arguing about? Aren’t they all on the same side?” Cam asked with a confused look on his face.
“Yes, they are, but they have different views about what is best for their own colony and the thirteen colonies together. When war first broke out most Americans did not want to fight Great Britain. The battles at Lexington and Concord along with Thomas Paine’s Common Sense changed that thinking. A month ago Congressman Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for independence. This sparked a massive debate!”
“And they’re still arguing after a month? That’s crazy!” Cam said.
One congressman looked like he would come to blows with another, but John Hancock demanded that they both sit down.
“Yes, it was a very serious thing to declare independence. It meant if America lost the war, these men, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, would likely all be put to death!”
John Adams was a statesman, diplomat, and a leading advocate of American independence from Great Britain. He was also the second president of the United States of America.
“Wow, that’s serious,” said Cam.
I nodded and said, “The Declaration was the first of its kind. Never before in the history of the world have a country’s people written a document declaring their right to choose their own government.”
John Hancock reached over and gently took the Declaration of Independence from Thomas Jefferson. John Adams placed his hand on his hip and leaned in while Benjamin Franklin crossed his arms on his chest. Hancock scratched onto the document, raising and lowering his hand. He put down the quill pen and blew on the wet ink.
“This is an incredibly important moment in our history. The Declaration of Independence became one of the three most famous and important official documents of the United States, along with the Constitution and Bill of Rights,” I said. “Remember, America did not become truly independent until years later, in 1783. There were many more battles to come until the Americans finally won the war.”
Cam kept staring at what was happening in the middle of the room. Then he sneakily pulled his phone from his pocket and used me as a shield as he cautiously snapped a picture of this life-changing, historical event.
“The Declaration of Independence is really America’s promise of a government of the people, where everyone is equal and free. You know, Cam, one of the reasons that this moment is so special is that the men and women in our armed forces and in our government today are still fighting and sacrificing for the very same rights that these men are arguing about right here.”
Suddenly Cam turned to me and energetically said, “Mr. Revere, it all makes sense now. We have to go back to modern day right away!” he said.
What was it that finally made sense to him? Whatever it was, it seemed very important. Cam was pulling me by my coat sleeve back into the hallway. As we exited the room he was nearly running to the door. I had a hard time keeping up. As he reached the door, I noticed something was wrong. Cam’s eyebrows were scrunched and he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. “Is everything all right?” I asked, wondering what I had said that made him want to bolt to the door. “Are you feeling sick?”
We slipped out of Independence Hall and raced back to where we left Liberty. Oddly enough, he was at the base of the large tree with a bird balancing on his nose.
“What are you doing?” I asked. “We need to time-jump back to the future right now.”
“Okay, okay,” said Liberty. “Excuse me for saving a young bird that fell out of its nest.” Liberty reached his nose to one of the lower branches. Sure enough, there was a bird’s nest that rested at the intersection of two limbs. Liberty gently placed the bird back in the nest. It chirped and flapped its wings.
“I wish I had something to feed it,” said Liberty.
“I don’t think it’s hungry,” I said. “I think it’s ready to leave the nest.”
“And I really need to leave 1776,” said Cam.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Liberty said as I hoisted myself onto his saddle. “But for the record, I think you should start carrying fresh worms in your pockets. I think that bird was hungry. Now I’m starting to get hungry. But not for worms. Blech. One time I found a worm while eating an apple. Double-blech! Do you know what’s worse than finding a worm in your apple?” Liberty asked.
I could only imagine. “No, what?”
“Finding half a worm in your apple!” Liberty said with a big laugh.
I ignored him and asked Cam, “Do you want to try to meet up with your mom?”
“That would be great,” said Cam. “But she didn’t tell me where she was going. Her text didn’t say, either. Only that it was important. Hey, maybe Liberty can track her down with his special radar ability.”
“That only works with historical figures. I mean I’ve never tried tracking someone in modern day,” said Liberty. “But I’ll try.” He closed his eyes and furrowed his brow. After a few seconds, he said. “Sorry, I’m not getting anything. Hmm, wait, I know. Maybe with Freedom’s help, we could do it together. Her connection in modern day might do the trick. Stand by.” Again, Liberty concentrated. Almost a full minute passed before Liberty said, “Bingo! We found her.”
“Well, where is she?” I asked.
“She’s at the airport,” said Liberty.
“That’s strange,” Cam said.
“Liberty, are you sure Cam’s mom is at the airport?”
“Positivo,” Liberty confirmed.
“Can you take us there?” asked Cam.
“Did Henry Knox bring fifty-nine guns and cannons from Fort Ticonderoga?”
“What are we waiting for?” Cam said.
We jumped on the back of Liberty, who said, “Rush, rush, rushing from history.”
* * *
Within seconds we were through the time portal and landed in the airport terminal parking lot. We dismounted from Liberty and quickly made plans to meet up at the same place later. Cam and I shuffled our way in between cars, through the sliding glass doors, and across the airport lobby to where dozens of people were waiting near the escalator. Many were holding “Welcome Home” signs and several were holding American flags of all sizes.
“Hey, there’s my mom,” Cam said. Sure enough, Danielle was standing with a couple of other families. She wore a patriotic-looking dress and was holding a small American flag. When Cam was a few feet away he yelled, “Mom!”
I stood back and watched what was about to unfold.
Danielle turned around and when she saw her son she looked utterly shocked. “What are you doing here?” she exclaimed.
“I was going to ask you the same thing, but I think I know. Is Dad coming home?”
Danielle smiled and for a second I thought she was going to cry. She said, “He is. I was going to surprise you but it looks like you—”
Before she could finish, Cam wrapped his arms around his mother and said, “I’m so sorry, Mom. I was such a jerk. I’ve learned a lot with Mr. Revere. He brought me to the airport. . . . Anyway, I understand now.”
Just then the crowd started clapping and cheering for the first passengers descending on the escalator. Men and women in military uniforms and carrying heavy backpacks descended in single file. As they stepped off the escalator and into the arms of their loved ones I couldn’t help but get emotional. I could feel some tears building in my eyes.
I had never seen Cam’s dad but it was easy to pick him out. Same brown eyes, same strong chin, same wide smile that lit up the lobby. When his father was only
halfway down the escalator, Cam hurried to wait at the bottom. He stared up at his father and saluted. I could tell the sight of his son brought a wave of emotions. He stepped off the escalator and wrapped Cam in his arms, lifting him off his feet.
I stood behind a nearby pillar and watched the happy reunion. Cam’s mom joined in and hugged her husband tight.
“Hey, bud, wow, you’ve grown. What have you been eating?”
“Just Mom’s awesome cooking,” said Cam. “I bet you can’t wait for some of your favorite lasagna.” Cam’s father looked lovingly at Danielle.
His dad tossed his backpack to the floor and put both hands on his son’s shoulders. He looked into his eyes and said, “I really missed you. I know it’s been hard on you this last year. I’m sorry I had to go.”
“It’s okay, Dad, I understand,” Cam said.
“Most of the time I was in Afghanistan I was working, but when I sat down at night I thought of you and what you were up to back home.”
“Really, I know, Dad, I understand everything,” Cam said.
“I know I don’t say this enough but I’m proud of you and love you very much, Cam. Are you still mad at me?”
Cam replied, “No, really, I’m not. I was just so sad and confused when you left, it made me angry. I had no idea what made you leave us. Why you had to go so far away and miss all my games and stuff. But I understand now.” Cam smiled.
“You keep saying you understand. What do you mean?” Cam’s dad smiled at Danielle and hugged her again.
Cam said, “I understand why you left us. You went to fight for our country so we could be safe at home. You went away to protect us like the first American soldiers did. You went to defend our freedoms written in the Declaration of Independence.”
“Wow, that’s right, son. I’m impressed. Not only are you bigger, but you’re a lot more mature.”
“I went to visit the Battle of Lexington, and I met George Washington, and I had to dodge bullets and cannonballs and fight the Redcoats! I talked to a soldier in the first American army. He told me all about how he had to leave his family to fight the British so that we could have a free country.”
Cam’s father looked thoroughly amused and glanced at his wife. She smiled serenely and Cam’s father laughed loudly. “Ha! That is so cool,” he said. “I am so glad you’ve discovered American history and like it so much. I’d love to meet George Washington. He was an incredible leader back in his day.”
Cam laughed, “Yeah, American history is awesome. I’ve learned a lot from it. Mom probably told you I got in a fight with this big kid named Billy. He’s always bugging me. But guess what, Dad? After the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Concord and visiting with Paul Revere and George Washington I got some ideas on how to be smarter even though Billy had my team really outnumbered.”
“You visited with Paul Revere and George Washington?” asked Cam’s dad, who smiled and glanced at Cam’s mom again.
“Yeah,” said Cam, “and Dr. Joseph Warren at Bunker Hill. He almost inoculated me for smallpox. But that’s another story. And John Hancock and Samuel Adams, and his cousin John Adams and, of course, Benjamin Franklin. Seriously, though, they were all Patriots and heroes just like you! They did everything they could to keep the dream of the Pilgrims alive. Without heroes like them I doubt we could’ve ever separated from Great Britain so we could be our own country. All the signers of the Declaration of Independence were really brave. They knew they were putting themselves in danger by signing their autographs. All these men knew they might be leaving their family forever, but they did it anyway. They were amazing! Our history is amazing!”
“Son, you are amazing! Your enthusiasm and passion is what makes America great. Never forget that,” he said as he playfully messed up Cam’s hair.
“I never will, Dad. I promise.”
“I love you, son.” Cam’s father lifted his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He grabbed Cam around the shoulder with one hand and with the other he pulled his wife close to him. Together, father, mother, and son walked toward the airport doors, heading home.
Cam’s mom looked back as if hoping to catch a familiar face. When she saw me she waved over her shoulder and smiled brightly.
My heart swelled as I, too, walked outside and saw Cam’s family stroll into the morning sun, underneath a large American flag, billowing in the wind.
“Psst! Over here!” said Liberty from behind a nearby tree.
“I knew you were around here somewhere,” I said. “Did you stay out of trouble?”
“Well, of course. I’m always extra good on July Fourth,” said Liberty, smiling.
“So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?” I asked, thinking I already knew the answer.
“You mean besides eating at an all-you-can-eat vegetable buffet?”
“Yes, I mean after that.”
“How about a nice long nap and then we can stay up for the fireworks show! Maybe plan our next adventure?”
I smiled and nodded. “Sounds perfect.”
And it was.
Cameron represents the thousands of children nationwide with family members serving our country. We know it is not easy at times, but we are so proud of you! This young man is named Shaun, sent in by his mother, Leanne B., to www.RushRevere.com.
Acknowledgments
Thank you first and foremost to all the selfless men and women of our armed forces. You and your families truly sacrifice every single day and we are eternally grateful.
This Adventure Series is a labor of love with a mission to share the incredible stories of our founding in a unique and creative way. I want every child in the United States and around the world to learn what it means to be an American and what American Exceptionalism is really all about. Thank you for embracing this series and honoring us with your fan emails, letters, and photos.
I could not do this alone and thank the extraordinary team assembled around me. My wife, Kathryn, is the unwavering and passionate mastermind behind this entire project. She dedicated countless hours to making sure this is not just a book, but also a heartfelt experience for all. She is exceptionally bright, talented, detailed, and immensely caring, which shows in everything she does.
Jonathan Adams Rogers is our right hand on this entire project and it simply would not be what it is without him. He is devoted to excellence and goes the extra mile and does everything that is needed to ensure that goal is reached. He does all that he can. And then a little more.
Thank you to Penelope Adams Rogers for your inspiring creativity and for your sharp attention to detail.
A big thank-you also goes out to Chris Schoebinger and Christopher Hiers for making sure the vision comes to life in a way that children can appreciate. Your talent and illustrations are tremendous!
David Limbaugh, Louise Burke, and Mitchell Ivers, and everyone at Simon & Schuster, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and efforts to make this series a success.
A wonderful view of America with young patriots Todd and Mallie.
RUSH LIMBAUGH is host of The Rush Limbaugh Show—the nation’s highest-rated talk-radio program, with an audience of more than 20 million—and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Visit www.rushlimbaugh.com or follow Rush on Twitter and Facebook.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: authors.simonandschuster.com/Rush-Limbaugh
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Photo Credits
PAGE
ii. Christopher Hiers
&n
bsp; vi–vii. Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3a11212/
viii. Jeremy P.
xii. Christopher Hiers
15. Christopher Hiers
20. Christopher Hiers
28. Christopher Hiers
45. Wikimedia Commons
46. Wikimedia Commons
56–57. Christopher Hiers
68. Christopher Hiers
71. Jonathan Adams Rogers
73. Christopher Hiers
78–79. Christopher Hiers
80. Jonathan Adams Rogers
82–83. Christopher Hiers
87. Jonathan Adams Rogers
94. 19th Century Firearms, Wikimedia Commons
99. Jonathan Adams Rogers
107. Jonathan Adams Rogers
114. Jonathan Adams Rogers
116. Christopher Hiers
130. Christopher Hiers
132. Jonathan Adams Rogers
136. Christopher Hiers
145. Christopher Hiers
154. Wikimedia Commons
156. Wikimedia Commons
162. Christopher Hiers
165. Christopher Hiers
174–75. Wikimedia Commons
182. Christopher Hiers
188. Christopher Hiers
194. Wikimedia Commons
197. © Lee Snider/Photo Images/Corbis
201. Wikimedia Commons
202. National Portrait Gallery, gift of Henry Willett, 1892 via Wikimedia Commons
208. Christopher Hiers
214. Christopher Hiers
222. Wikimedia Commons
225. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Wikimedia Commons
227. Wikimedia Commons
228–29. Wikimedia Commons
231. Wikimedia Commons
Rush Revere and the American Revolution Page 17