Winter at Valley Forge Academy

Semiquincentennial of united colonies will begin with celebrating the 250th anniversary of declaring independence from British hegemony. Of the most gripping episodes in this hard fought victory, won a quarter millennium ago to break from the King of England was the 1777–8 winter campaign at Valley Forge; a crucible for Gen. Washington's newly minted Continental Army, strategically placed to keep watch over British forces in occupied Philadelphia. Enduring brutal cold, fatal disease, hunger, limited supplies, etc. compelled soldiers to build hovels for shelter. It was also a critical period of training under Prussian officer Baron von Steuben where this Army became a more formidable, disciplined force to reengage in the Spring.

With heavy hands I type Valley Forge Military Academy is permanently closing after their 2025-6 Academic year, ending operation May 2026 due to staffing and enrollment issues. Closer to home and with a heavier heart I type of the current winter at Southern Prep https://southernprepacademy.org/ located at Camp Hill just off US Hwy 280 in East Central Alabama. Valley Forge closing will leave Southern Prep one of less than a dozen remaining prep schools with a Corps of Cadets (i.e., military) program in the nation we're blessed to have right here in Sweet Home Alabama.

My column readers know I'm a fan of Col. Ramsby (https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2024/06/01/opinion/col-ramsby-southern-prep-academys-12th-president/3376.html) coming to Southern Prep Academy. He's lived up to the promise. The transformation is easily notable to those I've convinced to give Southern Prep another look to see the changes and return to the Academy's roots as an Ag school which morphed into a military academy exemplifying the notion of 'plowshares into swords' and vice versa as Alumnus Maj. Bill Roughton has stressed these past years. Noteworthy early history includes George Washington Carver and Lyman Ward's connections through shared commitment to agricultural education in our region. Historical correspondence between Carver and Ward date back to the 1930s in the effort to improve farming practices, soil health, and livestock management for farmers across Alabama. Carver often shared his Tuskegee Institute research with Ward illustrating the long standing swords/plowshares tradition.

Recent events foreshadow many more 'swords into plowshares' and vice versa cycles in our State and nation's future. Southern Prep [SoPrep] is uniquely positioned to

address that future and reconnect. I unapologetically relish seeing JROTC students sitting in the same classroom with civilian students as I witnessed ROTC in the student body at AU - some who may have never interacted with someone in military uniform prior. If you want to be a part of supporting [https://southernprepacademy.org/giving-funds/] this noble endeavor for Southern Prep getting through their difficult winter of transition, now is the time.

Winter at Valley Forge is cited as a crucial moment of great suffering and sacrifice, but the birth of a professional military which morphed into a force stronger and united to defeat the greatest military of the era whose hegemonic mercantilism was sucking the marrow out of a people longing for liberty. Southern Prep can continue that Spirit of sacrifice striving to regain and maintain Liberty by teaching our youth well with our support. Alabama Gazette readers include many who venerate our veterans and military history filled with honour and sacrifice. SoPrep is a way to support and shepherd future generations with their money, time and even getting their children/grandchildren to consider and attend SoPrep.

In closing, no legislator comes to mind more than Rep. Ed Oliver's efforts to keep this gem of East Central Alabama in his district an integral part of educating and training future soldiers for our State and nation. Past legislators like John Rice and Mark Tuggle are also in the mix as I hope to report more donors return to supporting this blessed endeavour. Congressman Rogers has also been contacted to assist in supporting SoPrep and JROTC integration in his district. Please thank those like Rep. Oliver and contact your legislator(s) to get them on board.

Postscript: along with AU Perspective, I'll also be submitting regular SoPrep Reports to The Alabama Gazette. Forgive delays in AU reporting, the pessimistic pall of fear on Plains increases, impeding positive as well as negative Perspective input for readers to consider.

THE VIEWS OF SUBMITTED EDITORIALS MAY NOT BE THE EXPRESS VIEWS OF THE ALABAMA GAZETTE.