Twenty-Five Greatest Champions of America: Part One

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Let us therefore consider which Americans in the history of our country have done the most to advance those cornerstone principles. Obviously, advancing these principles includes protecting the very survival of the nation, but protecting the nation is but one aspect. More important is the idea that these Americans all gave of themselves to safeguard and perpetuate the very ideas and aspirations of their beloved nation.

Here is this editor's humble attempt at naming the twenty-five most important contributors to the furthering of America's greatest ideals:

#25: Bob Hope

One of only two entertainers on our list, Bob Hope demands placement for his sacrificial leadership in bringing good cheer and inspiration to the many men and women that have worn our country's uniform and placed their life on the line for their nation. While this particular ranking in this corner of Suite101 deemphasizes artists and performers in favor of those who actively championed America's founding principles, Bob Hope defies this limitation in that he proved, by his very example, that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can make a difference in your own way. Bob Hope took his talents and his profession and invested it in ways that made a tremendous difference for our armed services. Bob Hope is truly one of our greatest Americans.

#24: Robert E. Lee

The distinguished son of Virginia, regarded for his personal honor and strong faith, deserves to be mentioned on this list. Many may decry Lee's ranking here, arguing that he took up arms in the cause of slavery. This ignores the complexity of the Civil War and shows great ignorance when it comes to Robert E. Lee himself. Lee was never comfortable with slavery and did not support the Cotton States' clamoring for independence after Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860 on a platform to arrest slavery's expansion. It was only when Virginia chose secession (after President Lincoln began raising an army to invade the Deep South), that Lee took up his sword for his home state (and, by extension, the Confederacy). While Lee's usually-successful generalship threatened to

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