Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Finding a Role Model

When I first heard of this project, I'll admit I was a bit nervous about it. For a few reasons actually, One: I've never blogged anything before and two: I don't have a role model. Sure, as a kid you have many role models; your siblings, parents, and family members, not to mention all the celebrities you look up to. When I grew up I found that I don't really have a role model.

However, even though I don't have a Role Model, I do have many people I admire. One of those people, is a man named Francis Marion.

I don't really know what interested me when I first learned about him, but I have been unable to forget him since. I suppose It would have to do with the fact that I'm a History major, and just about anything I learn about history stays with me. But I guess I'm getting off topic, I first learned if Francis Marion in my 11X class. At my old high school, we used to have this program called "X". It was basically History class and English class integrated into one class, but with two teachers. My history teacher, Mr. Kinnally taught us about Francis Marion after we started learning about the Revolutionary War. Which comes to part one: Why I admire Francis Marion.
When most students study the Revolutionary War, they only look at what the North soldiers, such as George Washington did to win. Francis Marion, was a soldier from the South. When the British soldiers took over the South and all the colonial soldiers retreated north, Francis Marion stayed. He led a group of militia soldiers into sneak attacks on the British. It was then that he gained the nickname, "The Swamp Fox." As he would attack before retreating with his men back into the swamplands.
So the first reason that I admire this man is for his Dedication. Only a truly dedicated person would stay in the south to try and win what seemed an unwinnable war. It seems that this level of dedication has not stayed with American citizens during the developement of this country.