A Room with a View and the Beginning of Freedom

Did you ever consider the volume of people and events contributing to our freedoms? So many partook in helping to develop our current state over the years. Why the ride of Paul Revere popped into my mind at this moment, I do not know. I read an article recently about a young woman who also alerted townspeople of impending danger. The reality is, we may never know of each piece and parcel that built this foundation. In addition, we may not stop to investigate those who stood together to ensure a future of opportunities. As children, we heard about founding forefathers. We learned presidents’ names. We studied various details of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Did we ever once think about where and how these individuals lived? 

Perhaps as we age, our appreciation deepens and then we embark upon understanding. Alas, that is where I find myself. Today I would like to share a peek into a family with multiple members who gave so we could be free. The Rutledge Family who lived in Charleston, South Carolina, or could I say clan as they herald from Scotland. 

Have you ever stayed in a B&B, a Bread and Breakfast establishment? A dear friend of mine found the John Rutledge House Inn. Imagine this... John wrote multiple variations of the United States Constitution in this very house. Yes indeed. See photo below of the room where guests now partake in meals and fellowship on the second floor. This is where John pondered words that would later allow us to live as we do today.   

Steeped in history, this beautiful home allows us the opportunity to envision life in earlier days when times were slower, simpler, and the nation took its first steps. The photos infused here amongst details of some Rutledge family members' lives are from our stay last year. If you have the chance to go to Charleston, I highly recommend at least a few nights in this lovely house.

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Photo at left above features the front view of the John Rutledge House Inn. To the right, the back of the home with courtyard offer an entirely different facade. Below left, notice the view of the courtyard from an upstairs hallway window. Below right shows the ornate staircase and detailed landing. Look at the intricate carvings after the brick, approaching the stairs. Such craftsmanship throughout the house.

    

         

The concierge offered us this photo below of the original home. Not much has changed on the exterior over the years. The next photo depicts the plaque designating the John Rutledge Home, where John Rutledge lived and served as President of South Carolina and the first Governor of the State of South Carolina.

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I am often fascinated in imagining who stepped across thresholds and climbed stairs. The number of feet crossing and to whom they belonged. What were their lives like? Whom did they love? What did they do?

       

This room below at right is named the Signers Ballroom. Artifacts from the era encircle the room. The photo below offers a view of the house across the street.

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Here are some notable timeline entries of the lives and service of a few Rutledge family members:

John Rutledge

1761 began practicing law

1762 provincial assembly

1774 Delegate to the First Continental Congress

1775 Delegate to the Second Continental Congress

1776-1778 president and commander in chief of South Carolina

1779-1782 served as governor

Signed the U.S. Constitution

1789-1791 Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court

1790-1795 Chief justice of South Carolina

Edward Rutledge

1773 Career began as a lawyer

1774 Delegate to the First Continental Congress

1775-1776 Delegate to the Second Continental Congress

Signed the Declaration of Independence

Revolutionary War - captain in Militia of South Carolina, specifically the Charleston Battalion of Artillery

May 12, 1780 after British capture, prisoner at St. Augustine through July 1781

1782, 1786, 1788, 1792 member of the South Carolina state house of representatives 1790 member - South Carolina state constitutional convention

1794 offered appointment of Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court in by President Washington, but did not accept

December 6, 1798 elected governor of South Carolina

Hugh Rutledge

Practiced law

Veteran of the American Revolution

1783 Served as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives

Incidentally, Edward Rutledge was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence at 26 years of age. Other relatives also participated in government and the formation of this nation. 

Can you think of another family with multiple members who contributed to the birth of the United States of America?

The John Rutledge House Inn has insightful drone footage from outside the property right through the front doors. You can take a virtual tour of sorts and then perhaps book at stay. You'll be glad you did.

Rebecca and her husband share a townhouse with their rescued dog named Ranger, who is not spoiled in the least. They are enjoying a new season nestled in a quaint southeastern US city. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

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Going Out on a Limb - Arbor Day Around the Globe

Trees.

Life-giving, majestic, sentinels of time. We line driveways, create memorials, use as privacy buffers, climb on, hang from, and depend upon them for resources. They flourish in our books, movies, and Art of many mediums. Yet our thoughts and attention go deeper than the day-to-day applications. 

What is our fascination?

AI answered my question with the hypothesis that this “stems from a deep, multi-faceted connection, blending physical, emotional, and biological factors. Trees offer essential life-giving benefits (oxygen, shade, resources), possess calming aesthetic beauty, and foster a sense of grounding and permanence.” Additionally, AI surmised we benefit from reduced stress in their calming presence. I agree with the point that older trees “evoke a sense of history, wisdom, and stability.” The realization that trees communicate, share nutrients, and support one another adds to the wonder.

I am not alone in my fondness for trees. As a collective, the United States celebrates trees on Arbor Day. What I did not realize is that states declare this on different months and days. It makes sense as the seasons switch by region, and therefore planting parameters as trees burst forth in flower and unfurl their leaves at varying times.

On April 12, 1872, Nebraska City, Nebraska established roots of the very first Arbor Day. You can read the history in Carla Olson Gade’s post. After this historic event, other states joined the revelry. Now over 50 countries participate as well. Impressive that the efforts and initiative of one man in 1872 who addressed a need for trees in the barren plains of America spread across the globe. To date, over 500 million trees have been planted! (I read posts of an earlier celebration by Spain in 1594 but couldn't find a solid source or agreement of the location.)

From humble beginnings of shovels and hands, this day now monitored by The Arbor Day Foundation has scientific support and detailed planning. According to their website, they "use GIS mapping, environmental, socio-economic, and location data paired with local guidance to identify areas of greatest need." Combined efforts worldwide aid in replenishing this natural resource.

In honor of the upcoming Arbor Day on April 24th in Georgia, I would like to share some stellar trees we visited recently across the country. Join me at our first stop Point Defiance, Washington with its monumental trees. 

I'm not sure which specimen you see at left in all its stately glory. Below, left and right, say a hearty hello to Giant Sequoia ‘70437’ at 8.36m/27.43’ in girth and 39.02m/128.01’ tall. Goodness that is a lovely tree. Despite a document providing statistics on 22 of the resident trees, I could not find an estimated age. I queried and found it is probably relatively young at anywhere from 50-150 years. Sequoias can reach full height of nearly 250-300 feet. Can you imagine? I took the second photo at bottom right sheltered beneath its lacy limbs. Snuggled under the canopy, childhood stories danced in my thoughts. What a special spot.

  

There are many other old growth and interesting trees at Point Defiance. With each encounter, I wondered what they witnessed over the years. The people passing. Technology changing. From horses to horse and buggy, to cars, and eventually planes flying overhead. All the while the steadfast tree extends roots deep below and branches wide. Embracing our exhales and releasing a gift we often take for granted.

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Our next stop is John's Island near Charleston, South Carolina. Wait until you see this Low Country Treasure. Estimated at over 400 years, this Live Oak Tree is 65 feet tall and about 28 feet around. It shades roughly 17,000 square feet of area. The longest branch is 187 feet! The caretakers of the Angel Oak supported some of its limbs and repaired others. Visitors flock to this mammoth tree each year in droves. The parcel now housing Angel Oak Park was part of a 1717 land grant to Abraham Waight. Later, in the mid-1800s, Justis and Martha Angel acquired the land. Hence the name Angel.

Do we even need words?


   

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Take a walk around the Angel Oak with me...

And another view...

Look at those limbs...

Our last stop is with the Patriot Tree at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. To be honest, this was a bonus. I had no idea we would cross paths with this sentinel. We visited our son last week and stopped to appreciate this 175 year old Live Oak. Imagine, this tree existed in this very spot before the Civil War changed the landscape. How's that for perspective?

That concludes our current tour. Which was your favorite? 

If you would like to read some prior posts featuring trees:

Liberty Trees
Trail Trees
Trail Trees II
Stave Churches, fashioned from trees and an old lilac tree to boot.

Rebecca and her husband share a townhouse with their rescued dog named Ranger, who is not spoiled in the least. They are enjoying a new season nestled in a quaint southeastern US city. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

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250 Years - How Does the US Army Keep Rolling Along?

As I sit in the ICU with my dad, random thoughts bounce along with the waveforms on the monitor. Alarms cry from other rooms. Nurses race, their gaits commensurate to the tasks at hand. I realize this is a room full of equipment to support, sustain, and save lives. Then, I imagine a time when these tools did not exist.

On June 14, 2025, The United States celebrated the birth of the US Army in 1775. This date signaled the creation of a mighty machine that would defend and protect, as well as heal. In the beginning, the Army did not have systems in place to advance men and supplies from one place to the next, nor to care for wounded or transport them to safety.

The complexity of the present organization and what it takes to make it crawl, walk, run is mindboggling to say the least. This I did not consider before our son entered the Army. Neither did I realize the volume of acronyms and abbreviations. More of those machinations to follow. No doubt there are hefty books and lengthy online posts describing the minutia of transportation alone. For this post, how about a few notable players and nifty tidbits across the years? While some of these additions may seem haphazard, they each have a connection to recent events or to my father whom I am watching over at the moment.

During one of our son’s training seasons, we visited the Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Virginia, recently renamed Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The exhibits explain transitions over time, inventions, and improvements to help the whole. Particularly fascinating, the Red Ball Express. Someone needed to transport fuel for the vehicles and supplies for the troops – to advance the lot. Stop and think about this job. Moving targets to be sure. A harrowing experience, to be responsible for the lifeblood of machines. Enemies strived toward eliminating options. This would be a quick method to deter and defeat the purpose. Not only the incendiary target, but other parties also desired the fuel. A jerrycan sold for $100 on the French black market during WWII. The rations and cigarettes as coveted commodities caused trouble. Some Red Ball trucks did not reach their destinations due to theft and an evermoving front that plowed onward. Red Ball trucks followed the line to the front in some areas with maps, in others with large rectangular signs with large red balls in the middle. A beacon of sorts. Though their name did not result from these guideposts. Rather from a rail related term denoting shipments of a priority or express nature.

Imagine the landscape when Normandy Allied operations were 200 days ahead of plans and projections. This scenario delivered additional sustainment challenges. A unit in 1944 demanded each day, thirty-five tons of field rations. An estimated seventy-five thousand plus tons of supplies and equipment sought transportation across the miles.

American troops bombed extensive sections of French railways to thwart the German Army from moving toward Normandy and other key locations. While protecting the American Army, these detonations also posed the problem of transportation for the US soldiers and their necessary equipment. This LSCO or large-scale combat operation, necessitated moving men, rations, fuel, and vehicles across a vast expanse of territory. Consider all involved. Men need clothing, boots, gear, food, water, medical supplies, communication methods, vehicles, fuel, all related MOS or Military Occupational Specialty for each task/job, and more. Then, the roads must be sufficient to handle the volume of people and machines traversing. The small existing French roads at the time could not accommodate this mass. Crews constantly repaired roads. The entire process daunting and detailed required innovations and improvisations. And yet the US Army perseveres. (Read more about the Red Ball Express on the US Army Transportation Corps site.)

During the Korean War, the H-13 helicopter served as a notable method of moving men. H-13s flew wounded soldiers from combat zones to MASH units – Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals for treatment. The Army cleverly modified the H-13 based on need. External litters with the head area comprised of Plexiglass allowed more secure and less traumatic experiences. Before the use of H-13, trucks navigated rough Korean terrain often causing shock. The helicopters hence named, “Angels of Mercy” for their ability of smooth speed. One pilot logged 700 hours and 545 missions over a 14-month period, delivering 922 casualties. Of the 23,000 soldiers transported, 18,000 rode on an H-13.

Throughout a long period of my childhood, I could hear the theme song from the TV show, M.A.S.H., floating from the living room. My father’s favorite show for its humor, I imagine he watched the reruns multiple times. I never knew then that our son would later land in an adjacent role. I am ever grateful for all those who served before and those who dedicate their lives to making ours safer. Better.

The Vietnam War comprised different challenges and a generation who would blame rather than thank American soldiers. The M54A1C Truck for cargo solved some of the logistical problems while displaying the disgruntled state of mind of those involved by the names painted on its well-insulated sides. The M54A1C in this photo garnered its moniker from a Barry McGuire song of protest, “Eve of Destruction.” With two sheets of steel plates had sandbags in between – a double hull design, this vehicle augmented protection for supply convoys. The “Eve” is the only gun truck (known) in existence from this war. This 5-ton, 6 x 6 (Modified) M54A1C drove into the kill zones at the beginning of the ambush, all out guns. The firepower provided a shield of sorts.

From 1956 – 1989 the Versatile Mule provided transportation in a variety of scenarios. More adaptable than the Jeep, its relative longevity due to vast options and adaptions. Read about the history of the Jeep in The Origin of the Jeep oIIIIIIIo. . The Mule also aided in multiple wars until it finally retired in the late 1980s. Its successor, nimble ATVs.

To finish on a lighter note, not all transportation involved defeating an enemy. Some offered hope and help. A pilot, Lieutenant Gail S. “Hal” Halverson, gave his last two pieces of gum to German children. These littles shared his scant offering amongst themselves behind a fence as he surveyed the area during an operation. An idea formed to deliver on a mass-scale. He told the children to look for his plane and he would drop sweets to their locations. They asked how they would recognize him amongst the other planes. He explained he would wiggle the airplane wings and henceforth they called him, “Uncle Wiggle Wings” (“Onkle Wachlefluge).” A group effort, Hal’s commander bestowed permission to continue. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts donated material and handkerchiefs to make tiny parachutes to deliver tons of candy that could be air-dropped to German youth. Confectioners provided candy. The “Candy Bomber” as Hal was also named, offered a temporary escape from the horrors of war. These children experienced joy drifting down from above in the form of small gifts attached to white parachutes.

We as lovers of history enjoy delving into the past to learn and appreciate. We can apply this bent to another aspect of our lives as we realize gratitude causes a shift. Compassion. When we ponder those around us, their lives before and what they are experiencing, we gain understanding. Taking a moment to consider components of how a person arrived at present can be interesting, enlightening, and aid in connections between us and another. For example, that crazy driver with road rage might not be so deranged at all. They could be on the way to the hospital with a loved one in dire straits. They did not mean to derail another driver’s morning. No, this did not occur for my dad’s current visit. Just an observation and perhaps helpful perspective. Henceforth, I aim to approach others with the curiosity I extend to a wizened old tree, a beautiful building, or an ancient artifact. 

Do you do the same?

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 130 Plans, in 44 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and a college senior. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.


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Judy: A Four-Legged Guardian Angel by Candace West

 

In my series featuring animals who have received the Dickin Medal for valor, I discovered the story of Judy, a brown and white English Pointer. (For review: the Dickin Medal is awarded to animals who perform incredible acts of bravery in wartime. It is the Victoria Cross for our furry friends.)

During World War II, Judy became the mascot for the Royal Navy ship HMS Gnat and later the HMS Grasshopper. Her job was to improve morale among the troops.

But this soon changed.

After a mission on the Grasshopper, Judy was captured along with the troops in 1942. To save her life, the men smuggled her with them to a Japanese Prisoner of War camp in Sumatra. Later that year, the men hid her again under rice sacks when they were transferred to a prison camp in Medan.

They shared their meager rations with her. She lost weight and became a former shadow of herself, but her will to live inspired the men to hold on in the worst circumstances.

In Medan, Judy met fellow-prisoner Frank Williams who taught her a sophisticated way of communicating. By using a language of hand signals and low whistles, she learned his commands. Her loyalty to him and the other troops became legend.

Judy and Frank Williams

Judy learned to create distractions when someone was being beaten. She also comforted those who were suffering.

In 1944, however, the dangers intensified.

Using his special language he had developed for Judy, Frank and the others smuggled her when they were transferred to another camp. For hours while they were forced to stand in formation in the unforgiving heat, Judy remained quiet and unmoving inside a sack on Frank’s shoulder.

On June 26^th, still on their journey, the ship that was carrying the prisoners was torpedoed. As it was sinking, Frank pushed Judy from a porthole before abandoning the ship with his fellow troops.

Frank lost track of Judy in the fiery, oil slick waters. He lost hope of ever seeing his friend again.

In Singapore, however, Frank was reunited with Judy in the camp. When she saw him, she flung herself against him. Both were overcome with joy.

Frank learned that Judy had saved lives while the ship was sinking. She pulled many men to shore only to rushed back into the sea to save more. One of the soldiers she saved had smuggled her into the camp.

The Japanese soldiers learned to tolerate Judy as long as she behaved herself. And she did, always obeying Frank’s hand cues and whistles.

Her loyalty and bravery inspired and encouraged the soldiers who were starved, beaten, and forced to work laying railway tracks in the jungle. Her will to survive gave them the courage to keep going.

Both Frank and Judy survived the dangers of prison camp to finally recover and rest in England after the war ended. Once more, though, Frank had to smuggle her onto the ship that would carry them home. By then, Judy was a pro at keeping a secret.

Her tenacity and love could not be kept under wraps for long. Her fame soon spread throughout England.

During the Victory Day celebrations, Judy became the first dog to bark live on air across the radio waves worldwide. She also attended charity events to raise money for charities and comfort the families of those whose loved ones did not return home from the prison camps.

Judy 

In May 1946, she received the Dickin Medal and a citation which reads For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps, which helped to maintain morale among her fellow prisoners and also saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness.

Judy spent the rest of her life happily with Frank until she passed from this life on February 17, 1950.

Judy and Frank in later years

According to the National Military Working Dogs Memorial, she is the only dog officially listed as a Prisoner of War.

Source and Photo Credits:

The National Military Working Dogs Memorial, UK  and PDSA

About Candace West

A homeschooling mama by day and a historical romance writer whenever she can steal the time, Candace West writes hope-filled, redemptive stories that snag her characters from disaster to victory. In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen. Since then, she has authored the Valley Creek Redemption and Windy Hollow series. She also belongs to The Mosaic Collection of authors. When she isn't crafting her next story, she divides her time between family and three bossy cats.

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A Lukewarm Correspondence. A Tattered Reputation. Two hearts at Odds.

He is walking away while she is fighting to walk.

After a springtime swim, Ella Steen is stricken with a dire illness, leaving her without the use of her legs. Meanwhile, Dr. George Curtis, the man she secretly loves, faces ruin. For over a year, the crusty New York City bachelor and vivacious spinster have exchanged dozens of letters and formed a wary friendship.

Neither are willing to open their hearts completely. Until they face each other. The past looms between them, however. Does George still love another or is his heart completely free?

A trip to Valley Creek holds the answers. Instead, when George and Ella arrive, they encounter obstacles that force other truths to the surface. Is George brave enough to confront what he fled in New York? Can Ella confess why she hates dogwood winters? Will their hearts survive?

If only their pasts would keep out of the present.

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