Why Contribute and Support PEI?

Dear Fellow American Citizen,

When reflecting on current events, how often have you pondered:

Those extraordinary men of the 18th Century who were the first to codify the concept of God-given individual liberty created a government to protect and perpetuate that liberty. The leader of those world-changing achievements, George Washington, became the Father of his Country, the most prominent figure of his century and of the second millennium. He was instrumental in winning our inheritance, the greatest political gift in the history of the world, self-government.

Washington lived during the mid-point of American history. Half way between Columbus' discovery and the impending new century, George Washington's self- disciplined studies ranged from surveying to world history. As a young man he copied, in his own hand, the esteemed Rules of Civility. He kept and used them as a guide to his character and development. What an edifying experience it would be if we could but read his observations about our day and times. Motivated by this thought, members of Patriotic Education Inc. have composed a message after his style, one that Washington might offer his countrymen today. The exercise has prompted us to a new action.

We are committed to gird America's Founders and founding principles with renewed respect. Washington's letter merits thoughtful review. PEI earnestly enlists your involvement and participation in support of this generation's all important mission:

Friends & Fellow-Citizens:

With this salutation I greeted you last in September of 1796. I address
you now with equal esteem, felicity and admiration. We who were under arms
during The War for American Independence and we who were in the Constitutional
Convention chamber knew that your task of preserving Liberty would be as difficult
and hazardous as were our missions. We knew not then, nor do we now know, how
long you and your descendants can keep the flame alight.

History taught us a democracy would survive but 200 years. That awareness
influenced our creation of the world's first democratic republic. As our beloved
senior statesman left the final session of the Convention, a lady asked: "Mr.
Franklin, what have you given us?" He replied: "A republic, Madam, if you can
keep it!" You have kept it for over 200 years, against great odds. Congratulations,
but rest not on you laurels. Be eternally vigilant! Few men have experienced
freedom in the long travail of history. Both misunderstood and coveted, Liberty
will ever be under attack. God forbid that it be lost by you or your progeny. Once gone, if ever regained, it will be by the inch.

As you and your descendants move this God-gifted nation through the decades
of time, as generations of new citizens face the rise of contrary concepts, it will
become more difficult to maintain a solid dedication to the ideas and ideals in
which this noble and historic experiment is anchored. Be cautious, the risk is great
as you savour the fruits of the system; be not seduced by the belief that it was
always thus and will always be thus. Mother History teaches to the contrary.
Civilizations rise and fall. None remain forever dominant. All great nations before
us have fallen. America must not! Successive generations require an illuminated
appreciation of their roots in Liberty, and a bond with the flesh-and-blood heroes
Freedom has given you. Nourish those generations with the self-evident truths the
Founders distilled into the documents which define their birthright, guarantee their
Liberty, and for which all men thirst. The mission must be undertaken in the volunteer
spirit and in the private sector. Informed, patriotically inspired parents and teachers
daily strive to help young citizens know, love and serve America. They search for tools
and help! Patriotic Education Incorporated is uniquely positioned to assist and must
lead in this service. The Founders gave you one charge: "... . secure the Blessings of Liberty to . . . Posterity."The assignment, as America approaches a new century and millennium, is in your trusted and capable hands. I pray the blessings of Almighty God upon you and our nation.