Philipstown Democrats

Another Link in the Chain -
Legislator Montgomery’s Reflections at Constitution Island’s America250 Celebration ⭐

“History survives because someone chooses to remember.
Standing here on Constitution Island, it’s impossible not to think about the people who have done exactly that for more than a century.
Thank you Constitution Island Association for preserving our history.
Years ago, I wrote a senior thesis on the Newburgh Conspiracy - the tense days just across the river when the future of our young republic was uncertain. But what stayed with me wasn’t the crisis. It was one profoundly human moment.
George Washington stood before officers who were considering actions that could have changed the course of our nation’s history.
Partway through his speech, he had to reach for his glasses, and then realizing his vulnerability he quietly apologized to his officers.
“Gentlemen, he said, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service, and now find myself growing blind.”
In that instant they no longer saw only a commander.
They saw a fellow human being.
Today we’ll hear another story.
The story of Chief Daniel Nimham and George Washington.
Another reminder that our nation’s history wasn’t shaped by one person alone or one place.
It was shaped by relationships -
by trust
by courage
and by people willing to see one another’s humanity.
Perhaps that’s the gift of places like Constitution Island and the people who preserve it.
So I don’t think today’s celebration is really about 250 years.
It’s about what has allowed America to survive 250 years.
Not military victories.
Not political parties.
Not perfect leaders.
Just People.
Imperfect people who kept choosing the harder path.
That is exactly why Washington, putting on his spectacles became such a defining moment.
He didn’t win the officers over because he was the most powerful man in the room.
He won them because - for just a moment - they remembered he was simply another human being carrying an impossible burden.
And in that moment, what held the young nation together wasn't force; it was trust.
History reminds us that the things holding a nation together are often the things we cannot see.
The chains that-stretched across the Hudson here weren’t the real defense.
The real defense was trust.
Trust between ordinary citizens -
farmers
blacksmiths
soldiers
engineers
and leaders willing to sacrifice for something bigger than themselves - as the Declaration says, “to secure these rights.”
The chain was only as strong as every link.
America has survived because generation after generation has chosen to become another link.
Not perfect. Just willing. Willing, in the words of the Declaration, “to mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.” Or, simply put - something of ourselves to one another.
America only knew one party in those days, and that was Freedom.
Thank you to the Constitution Island Association - and to every volunteer, every educator, every historian, every musician, every storyteller, and every visitor who chooses to become one of those links - connecting our past to our future.
May we prove worthy of the remarkable people whose stories we’re entrusted to carry forward.
History is never ours to keep. Like our independence - It’s only ours to carry - and to pass on.
“Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
God Bless (and
Protect) us by thy might.”
Thank you for helping carry this history forward. Happy Independence Day."

The Board of Elections was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lauren Shields, the Community & Government Affairs Liaison from LiveOnNY. Lauren met with us to teach us how to help voters register to be organ donors when they register to vote. She was a compelling presence at Putnam's naturalization ceremonies, and we will miss her.

For more information about being an organ donor, visit LiveOnNY.org.

Free rabies shots for pets of Putnam residents July 18 right in Cold Spring!