Congressman Randy Forbes 19 Dec. a.d. 2005 letter

Monday, 19 December a.d. 2005

The Honorable Randy Forbes
United States House of Representatives
The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Forbes:

First, Merry Christmas to you, your wife and family, Captain Barbaree and the rest of the folks and families serving our
country by service in your office. I have had the pleasure of the wise advice of Captain Barbaree. Thank you all.

In July you kindly forwarded my letter to the Secretary of Defense. I have spoken with Ambassador Middendorf, who
was Secretary of the Navy under President Ford during the Bicentennial Years of 1974-77, this year on 13 October, 29
November, 12 December and this morning. He agreed in November and said this morning he was going to call Admiral
Tobin of the Naval Historical Center to recommend this change to correct an ongoing error of Naval History renewed in
1975, and again in 2002 for the Global War on Terrorism. A proposed SECNAV Instruction is attached.

The true First Navy Flag proclaims John Locke’s syllogism for a Call to War with the motto “Appeal To Heaven”
inscribed below an Evergreen Tree of Liberty (or pine tree). The flag is also called the Washington Cruisers Flag.
Flying the correct, true First Navy Flag would be like an “Inchon Landing” or Trenton Raid against the PC forces,
an important victory at a crucial time in our nation’s life, and an vital revival of the true Spirit of Liberty!

Like Ronald Reagan did, I like to add humor to what is many folks consider boring History. On 29 November in The
Washington Times Inside the Beltway column, John McCaslin generously describes me as a “master historian”
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20051129-121125-8092r.htm. There was another like it in 2003, with a bit of a joke
http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/johnmccaslin/2003/06/20/160760.html. This positive change TO
“Historical Correctness” of the true First Navy Flag also moves away FROM “Political Correctness”. Beside, we
will no more have a symbol of a “Rattler in Retreat”, with the plaintive plea “Don’t Tread on Me”. Rattlers coil to
defend and strike, this prone image is of European demeaning origin. I hope you enjoy knowing this fun info.

I respectfully suggest that the attached proposed SECNAV instruction be signed on the anniversary of the Battle of
Trenton, 25 December after midnight on the 24th, and at dawn be flown on the USS Trenton, and on the USS George
Washington. Both ships are in Norfolk. The Evergreen Tree of Liberty “Appeal To Heaven” flag will continue to fly until
22 February 2006 - Washington’s Birthday - when all ships fly the flag for the duration of the Global War on Terrorism.

For America’s future (building up on our past),

James Renwick Manship, Sr., Chairman

P. S. Washington planned and executed the Trenton Raid in one week -- from 18 to 25 December a.d. 1776. Thus, it is
reasonable to consider coordinating action to encourage Secretary of the Navy England make a positive decision for this
“Revolutionary” change in time for the anniversary of the Battle of Trenton, 25 December, with later full implementation.