News

Flag Day Proclamation Speech:

Honored Mayor Blackburn, esteemed members of the Carlsbad City Council, fellow citizens of Carlsbad. My name is Dr. Mark Zecca, and I am representing the Knights of Columbus and its International, National, State, and local councils, including the Council here in Carlsbad.

We passionately support this proclamation of National Flag Day. We honor the tricolored symbol of our nation’s unity, courage, and aspirations. We proclaim Flag Day as a day to reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom and the history woven into the fabric of our flag. Its colors symbolize the values of courage, strength, peace, and prosperity. It represents our nation’s identity and our collective journey toward innovation and progress.

But our flag is more than just a piece of fabric; it represents our nation’s history, values, and dreams. Our flag unites us, regardless of our differences, and reminds us of our shared identity as a nation. It reminds us of the courage and sacrifices made by those that fought tyranny and the leaders who contributed to our nation’s independence. It provides us with an opportunity to educate our younger

generations about the significance of our flag and its historical context in today’s World theater.

We identify the flag with things we hold dear on earth. It represents our peace and security, our civil and political liberty, our freedom of religious worship, the protection of our families, the free gathering of our friends, and the security of our homes. We see it as a culmination of the great multitude of blessings, rights, and privileges, which have been bestowed upon our Great Nation.

But as we gaze at our flag and behold its emblazoned symbols of our history; we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duties carried out by our forefathers as well as those today who serve, and by every man, woman, and child that call themselves American. It is the banner in which those that served and gave the last full measure of devotion, claimed liberty for all of us. As it flies from our highest masts, it shouts that we are a resolute People and reminds us that we are the home of Freedom earned because of those that were Brave!

Thank you and God Bless.

The answer depends on which narrative you follow. For a long time, Crispus Attucks has been celebrated as the first casualty of the American Revolution because his death during the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770, symbolized the violent break between the colonies and British authority.

However, historical accounts also show that 11-year-old Christopher Seider was fatally shot on February 22, 1770—nearly two weeks before Attucks’ death—making him chronologically the first person to die in the revolutionary era’s prelude.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Attucks’ martyrdom resonated powerfully among colonists and was widely publicized and mythologized, contributing significantly to the revolutionary sentiment.
• Seider’s death, though equally tragic and a spark for public outrage, is less often highlighted in popular history despite its earlier occurrence.
• Both deaths contributed to the rising tensions and complex narratives that fueled the move toward American independence.

There’s much more to explore in this period. The subsequent events, like the Boston Massacre, captured the imagination and fueled the revolutionary impulse. Would you be interested in diving deeper into how these events were used in revolutionary propaganda or how their legacies evolved? In Carlsbad, California, visit the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum.

March 24, 2025

Today is the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech, drawing parallels between his message and contemporary struggles for freedom and liberty in America.

• In Brief::
  Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Speech highlights its enduring relevance in our on-going fight for liberty, paralleling contemporary struggles for freedom. The speech, delivered on March 23, 1775, emphasizes faith and courage against tyranny.
• On the topic of freedom and slavery and having open debate::
  The debate is framed as a critical choice between freedom and slavery, emphasizing that rights originate from God, not government, and highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in governance.
• On the topic of wanting to avoid issues, sweep things under the rug, and hope it all just goes away::
  The text discusses the tendency of Americans to prioritize personal comfort over liberty, with a new generation of patriots emerging to support a president committed to restoring freedom. It highlights a societal shift from complacency to active engagement in the struggle for liberty.
• On the topic of perseverance and courage in the face of a fight that is already underway::
  The text emphasizes the urgent need for Americans to be vigilant, active, and brave in the face of a growing government that threatens liberty, highlighting that retreat leads to submission and slavery. It calls for accountability to the Constitution and encourages citizens to unite in the fight for freedom.
• On the topic of coward pastors and coward leaders::
  The text emphasizes the need to return to foundational principles, citing Jeremiah’s warning against deceitful leadership, and advocates for adherence to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It highlights the importance of Biblical principles, particularly the Ten Commandments, as a remedy for societal ills.
• On the topic of Relying on God::
  Faith in God empowers courage to fight for rights, not granted by government, but by divine authority.
• Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death::
  The text emphasizes the ongoing struggle for liberty, likening it to past American revolutions, and highlights the importance of supporting a leader who believes in freedom. It references Patrick Henry’s famous quote, urging a commitment to liberty over oppression. The fight for freedom continues against persistent enemies.

Carlsbad USA 250 hosted a kick-off meeting at the Green Dragon on Thursday, March 20.

The gathering exceeded our expectations, and everyone in attendance genuinely appreciated the environment and its alignment with our group’s goal of celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary!

The group was very animated and excited and gave us many ideas for events and activities for the year-long celebration. The DAR group and others were especially interested in working with you and with us to utilize the museum for educational purposes. Some were interested too in training docents to provide tours to discuss the museum and the architecture and how taverns played key roles as meeting places for our founding fathers.

Thanks again to John and his staff at the Green Dragon!

The Carlsbad USA 250 Team is hosting a planning meeting at the Green Dragon Tavern in Carlsbad, California, on March 21 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. Please consider using the “Contact Us” link on the Welcome page if you are interested in attending.