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The advertising agency and printing company I've been connected with for the past twelve years has had an ongoing publishing relationship with one of New England's most active historical preservation groups. The Stonington Historical Society covers the rich heritage of this small shoreline town perhaps best known for fending off a substantial attack in 1814 that led to an equally surprising withdrawal by four warships of the Royal Navy.
On this 200th anniversary of this battle, a walk through the borough of Stonington reveals many vivid reminders of those dramatic three days during the War of 1812. The local defenders and civilians refused British demands to surrender, which would have meant allowing their town to be burned to the ground. Despite a heavy bombardment and an attempted landing, Stonington's defenders prevailed and all the casualties were on the British side. How did the outgunned American side win? For one thing, the borough residents saw no alternative, vowing to fight to the death. To British Navy strategists, this was just one element of a military chess game designed to deflect American intentions away from attacking Canada. When that strategy proved more costly than it was deemed worth, they pulled out. To the Stonington locals, it meant everything. This was their home and way of life... and everyone was involved.
As we continue to scratch our heads these days over why the best military in the world finds victory so elusive when we exercise military options, perhaps we can take a cue from our own history.
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