By Scott Bottoms | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Every year in April, Americans observe Patriots’ Day to remember the opening battles of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord in 1775. It is a day that commemorates the courage of ordinary citizens who stood their ground against the most powerful empire in the world. Farmers, tradesmen, pastors, and fathers answered the call of liberty because they believed that freedom was worth defending.
More than two centuries later, Patriots Day should still serve as a reminder of who we are as a nation and the principles that shaped our founding.
The American Revolution did not begin because people wanted power or control. It began because they believed the government had crossed a line. Colonists were being taxed without representation, their local authority was being ignored, and their liberties were increasingly threatened by a distant government that did not understand or respect them.
The patriots of 1775 understood something fundamental about freedom. Liberty is not something that the government grants to the people. Liberty is something that belongs to the people, and government exists to protect it.
When British troops marched toward Lexington and Concord to seize colonial weapons and suppress dissent, local citizens refused to stand down. The militia that gathered on Lexington Green was not a professional army. They were neighbors who believed their rights were worth defending. Today, local citizens and patriots are still refusing to stand down when the government comes to take their firearms. Their stand ignited a movement that would ultimately change the course of human history.
Today, Patriots Day is more than a historical anniversary. It is a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy were secured through courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in self-government.
In our own time, we face different challenges than the patriots did in 1775, but the underlying question remains the same. Will we remain faithful to the principles that founded this nation?
The American system was designed to place power close to the people. Local communities, states, and citizens were meant to play a central role in shaping the direction of our country. The founders believed that freedom flourishes when government is limited, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves.
When government grows too large or too distant from the citizens it represents, the risk is that it forgets its proper role.
That lesson is just as relevant today as it was in the eighteenth century.
Across the country, many Americans are concerned about rising costs, expanding government authority, and policies that seem disconnected from the everyday realities families face. Parents want a greater voice in their children’s education. Small business owners want the freedom to operate without overwhelming regulation. Communities want to feel safe and secure in their neighborhoods.
These are not radical ideas. They are the same common-sense concerns that have guided Americans since the founding of our republic.
Patriots Day reminds us that self-government requires participation and vigilance. The citizens who gathered at Lexington and Concord did not wait for someone else to defend their liberties. They understood that freedom depends on ordinary people who are willing to stand up for what is right.
In Colorado and across the country, we are fortunate to live in a nation where citizens still have the ability to shape the future through civic engagement, public service, and open debate. Those opportunities exist because generations of Americans fought to preserve them.
We also remember that the American story has always been one of perseverance. The early patriots faced enormous uncertainty. Victory was far from guaranteed, and the cost of resistance was high. Yet they pressed forward because they believed that a free nation was worth the sacrifice. Their courage laid the foundation for the most enduring experiment in self-government the world has ever seen.
As we observe Patriots Day this year, it is worth reflecting on the responsibilities that come with the freedoms we have inherited. Liberty is not self-sustaining. It requires citizens who care about their communities, who engage in the democratic process, and who are willing to defend the principles that make this nation unique.
The men and women who stood at Lexington and Concord did not know what the future would hold. They only knew that freedom was worth protecting.
Their example continues to inspire us today.
Patriots Day reminds us that the American spirit has always been rooted in courage, faith, and a deep commitment to liberty. If we remain true to those values, the promise of this nation will continue to endure for generations to come.
Dr. Scott T. Bottoms serves as the Representative for Colorado House District 15 in El Paso County and is currently in his second term. He is also the Lead Pastor of Church at Briargate in Colorado Springs, where he has faithfully led for nearly 13 years. Prior to this role, Dr. Bottoms served in Strasburg and Rocky Ford, Colorado. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Church Ministries from Southwestern Assemblies of God University (2002), a Master of Arts in Urban and Intercultural Ministries (2006), and a Doctorate of Ministry in Intercultural Spiritual Leadership (2011). A proud veteran, Dr. Bottoms served eight years in the United States Navy. His leadership extends beyond the church, having served on executive boards with the Assemblies of God, Nelson University, and Strong Cross Ministries, where he also chaired Sarah’s Home. Dr. Bottoms has been married to his wife, Linda, for 34 years. Together, they are proud parents of three children, two daughters-in-law, and grandparents to three grandchildren.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.