They also knew his remarkable story. Today, both are all but forgotten–even here in Somers Point where he was born.
This is a national tragedy. The stories of Richard Somers and other Americans like him teach the greatness and goodness of America. That is why those who now run our schools, colleges, media, and entertainment industry no longer tell them.
Richard Somers grew up right after America won its independence. Americans were so peaceful, that we immediately disbanded our navy, and cut our army down to a few hundred men.
When Richard Somers was growing up, people throughout Europe were giving America its iconic nickname “Land of Boundless Opportunities”. Most Americans then had less government, fewer laws, lower taxes, and more wealth and opportunities than any other people in the world.
Richard Somers, like most Americans then, finished school by age 15 – yet knew far more history, literature, science, and mathematics than most college graduates today.
By age 17, Somers, like most Americans his age, had mastered a useful trade. Somers was already the skipper of small merchant ships sailing between New York and Philadelphia. He hired, trained, paid and disciplined his crews. He made sure all cargo and provisions for his crew were accounted and paid for.
However, as the above truth-card explains, events overseas soon changed everything for Richard Somers. He did not spend the next ten years sailing larger ships around the world and later owning them. He did not marry and settle down to a comfortable life by his 30’s like most Americans then. Richard Somers was instead killed in Tripoli on September 4, 1804 at age 26. He died fighting America’s first war against militant Islam. Please contact us so we can send you a few of these cards. Please pass them around before the young people you know go back to schools where true American history is no longer taught.
If you plan to be near Somers Point, NJ on September 4, please join us there to remember Richard Somers and tell his story. It will be at 4pm on Wednesday, September 4 at the Richard Somers monument and mural at 801 Shore Road.
Then, please support our fund-raising cash bar buffet at nearby Gregory’s Restaurant right after the ceremony. Tickets are $35 each, $60 for two. Although you can pay at the door, please help us properly prepare by paying in advance. Or please make a separate tax deductible gift. You can pay online at LibertyAndProsperity.com, by mail, or at any of our every Saturday Breakfast Discussions at the Shore Diner by Parkway Exit 36 in Egg Harbor Township between 9:30am and 10:30am. Thanks!
Liberty and Prosperity 1776, Inc. was established in 2003 and is recognized by the I.R.S. as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) education organization.
We don’t claim that America was perfect. However, we do explain that when Americans understood and respected our Constitution and founding principles of liberty, our nation brought more wealth, opportunity, and justice to more people than any other nation in history. That is the meaning of “Liberty and Prosperity”, New Jersey’s motto since 1776.
We are not strong or rich enough to refute all of the lies told about America every day. However, we hope that when each of us points out the truth however and whenever we can, we encourage Americans, especially young Americans, to want to learn more. As Ben Franklin often said, we light candles rather than curse the darkness. Please help us deliver messages like this to others. Thank you for your support.
SETH GROSSMAN, Executive Director