It’s Day 380 of the Pink Collar Savvy & Chic on Purpose Project and yesterday I learned a Put-In-Bay lesson that is so fitting for Independence Day –– Don’t Give Up the Ship! My husband loves history and though I wouldn’t say I love it, as a former school teacher, I do appreciate the wealth of it Put-In-Bay has to offer. Monday we’d stopped at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial in the center of the island, –– it’s the third largest monument in the United States –– but the museum was closed. Still, before we ever read any of the placards describing the War of 1812 Battle of Lake Erie events that caused Oliver Perry to become a hero, my husband recounted the story for me. I won’t go into all of the details, only that Perry led the U.S. in a hard won victory ( 1 casualty for every 4 men who fought) over Great Britain after it seemed defeat was certain. The battle turned the tide of the war and ultimately led to over 200 years of still standing peace between the U.S., Great Britain and Canada and the existence of the longest undefended border between the U.S. and Canada. The Battle of Lake Erie victory is largely attributed to Perry bolstering the sagging morale of his navy fleet and militiamen by unfurling and hoisting a flag that read, Don’t Give Up the Ship! Not only that, the three countries learned arbitration vs. combat prevents loss of life and promotes peace. An over 200 year Put-In-Bay lesson that’s still relevant this Independence Day!

 

As a Pink Collar Savvy & Chic on Purpose patriot who is also a believer, it’s not lost on me that I got to visit this amazing destination as we celebrate our independence. While the The War of 1812 was fought after The American Revolutionary War had been won, the U.S. was still striving to establish itself as truly independent of Britain. Winning control of Lake Erie went a long way toward accomplishing that and in many ways set the stage for the U.S. to become a viable world power. But it came at a high cost –– in human lives on both sides. Not to mention the impact it had on Native Americans and African Americans who also fought but had yet to gain their freedom and independence…All that to day, as we celebrate our independence, let’s not take our hard won freedom for granted. Let us be mindful of it and thankful for it. In many ways our country is divided. A D or challenge. But it’s still great. And so very blessed by the God of our founding fathers. Furthermore, arbitration vs. fighting is still the best way to win…

This Fourth of July, let’s be Pink Collar Savvy & Chic on Purpose and minimize the division by maximizing this Put-In-Bay lesson for Independence Day: Don’t Give Up the Ship!

Be savvy &  chic,

~Pink Collar Coach