We are the United States of American and giving up is not in our DNA.

And it’s been that way since the beginning.

When George Washington and the ragtag Continental army wintered in Valley Forge, many didn’t have coats and many others didn’t even have shoes. Yet they persevered and sent the British, the greatest military force at the time, slinking back across the sea.

During the War of 1812, when the British burned down the White House, many thought our country was over. Instead, we found new ways to fight and when Andrew Jackson, with the help of a group of Kentucky long riflemen, beat them in New Orleans, we drove home the nail in the coffin of the British invasion.

We fought the Civil War, which put brother against brother, North vs South and came through a more perfect union.

We survived two World Wars, the Spanish Flu which killed millions, and the Great Depression.

And when a psychopath had madmen fly planes into the World Trade Center buildings, it brought a nation to its knees. Then we got up and tracked them down and either arrested them or put them in a pine box.

During the coronavirus pandemic, we will be bloodied, weary and doubtful. And then families will pull together, neighbors will help neighbors and friends will have each other’s backs. We will adapt, work together and be a stronger nation.

We are the United States of America and giving up is not in our DNA.