Restoring Honor Rally: Faith, Hope & Charity

by: Pamela D. Hart

I attended Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally Saturday. My decision to attend wasn’t planned. As a matter of fact it was completely spur of the moment. My dad called me Friday afternoon, when I was at work, and asked if I would be interested in going with him and my mom, thus with my answer being affirmative, he told me to be ready at 3:30 a.m.

We arrived at the Lincoln Memorial at 11 a.m. with the rally already in full swing. The crowd was immense. People were sitting between the columns, on the steps and walking around it. They were packed full on both sides of the Reflection Pond and beyond. The aerial view photos are a bit distorting because you can’t see all the people who were beneath the Cherry Blossom trees. I know because I walked the cement pathway from the Lincoln Memorial to the WWII Memorial, which was tree-covered and it too was packed full with people sitting on chairs, blankets, the grass or just standing.

We found a nice shady spot on the Atlantic side of the WWII Memorial and were amazed at how the crowd extended onward up toward the Washington Monument. I told my parents and 13 year old son that this wasn’t a politician who brought, in my estimation, at least 500,000 people together, it was a mere television-radio personality. But united we were and for a message that could ring true for everyone, of every walk of life, old and young, black, white, red and yellow, a message that transcended political lines—Restoring honor and integrity…

Glenn said, “We have lost too many heroes in this nation.” “Heroes are just people who stand and do the right thing usually at their own peril. They’ll stand and do the right thing.”

Who are our next heroes? Do you have Faith, Hope and Charity in your life?

I have a hero in my life. It’s my dad. He raised us by example, living with nobility and good character. I learned from him to be honest regardless of how difficult it may be for me. I have sacrificed regardless of how uncomfortable it may feel. I am compassionate and benevolent because I learned that it feels good to have a purpose greater than myself. I have seen over the years that too many people today don’t have a purpose. They don’t honor themselves let alone others. They lie, steal and cheat because it’s easy. Let’s face it, doing the right thing takes fortitude. We need to practice that so the next generation will learn by example.

I will admit I’m not a religious person. I was baptized Lutheran and practiced that until the age of 10, then began practicing the Catholic religion. From age 25 until about 30 I practiced a non-denominational religion, but with much self-reflection and thought, changed to Atheism. I believe in doing the right thing because, well, it’s the right thing to do. I don’t need the fear of hell looming before me to know not to lie, steal, or cheat. I don’t commit adultery because I love my husband and it would hurt him deeply. I am kind to people because I want them to be kind to me. I never found a connection with God or a Higher Being therefore praying never gave me solace. I found over the years that I had more strength within myself. I have the utmost respect for those who practice a religion and believe that everyone has the right to practice what they believe is right for them.

So, what did I get out of this rally, considering it had such a religious undertone? What does Faith, Hope and Charity mean to me?

Faith, I think, means to believe in something unseen. I believe in a strength within myself. A strength I found years ago that permeated from within which sustained me through some of the roughest times of my life. I was able to walk through the darkness into the light and emerge without bitterness or hatred, therefore I have faith that I will remain a loving, compassionate, strong person and it will see me through my journey of life wherever it may lead, and I will continue to learn from the good and bad lessons along the way.

Hope, to me, is the belief that no matter what hardship you face; obstacle you must overcome; lesson you must learn--you trust that tomorrow will bring a better, brighter day. I believe that if we don’t have hope we will not be able to find our way out of the darkness into the light.

Our hearts will expand with Charity. When we put aside our own needs and give to others, whether it’s helping an elderly lady up a flight of stairs; serving food in a soup kitchen; or donating money to the poor--we are reaching out to mankind. There is no greater purpose in life than to give to others. When we meet a need in others, we are, in essence, fulfilling a need within ourselves. Charity is an extension of ourselves and there is nothing more benevolent...more powerful...than to help someone in need.

In closing, this rally was not political, it was inspirational, even for someone who is not religious. It was a day for people to unite in a common message...

Let us restore in ourselves what may be lying dormant. Honor, truth and dignity. Have Faith, if not in a God, ALWAYS in yourself. Never give up Hope, because on the horizon is a new day with the rising of a beautiful sun, and bestow someone with an act of Charity, give them the magnificence of YOU!