Today, we honor and lift up veterans from the unsung heroes to the shining stars like Benjamin Rush.  Dr. Benjamin Rush began his formal service to his country at the age of 30 when he was elected to the Continental Congress in 1776.  He voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence knowing that it made him one of the British most wanted.  Later he would also be one of the men who ratified the Constitution.

The congress appointed Dr. Rush to the office of physician-general of the military hospitals of the middle department.  After the war he was one of the founders of Dickerson College where he helped train over 2,500 student doctors.

During the horrendous yellow fever outbreak of 1793 in Philadelphia, he reduced the panic.  He stood against the common misconception that yellow fever was an epidemic but with proper hygiene and sanitary environments the fever could be wiped out.

He was a veteran, a statesman, a physician, and an unashamed Christian.  His associations also tell part of the story.  Among others, he was President of the American Society for the abolition of slavery; President of the Philadelphia Medical Society, Vice-President of the Philadelphia Bible Society.

His own words speak for his love of God and country.

“I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am perfectly satisfied that the Union of the States in its form and adoption is as much the work of a Devine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testaments.” - Benjamin Rush

“My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the Cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly- Benjamin Rush

“The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty”.

God bless our veterans today and God Bless America!