On Sunday, Rawls Law Group sponsored the Patrick Henry “Give me liberty or give me death” speech reenactment at St. John’s Church in Richmond, the same building where the Second Virginia Convention was held in 1775.
An incidental benefit of our sponsorship is that Brewster Rawls got to play the role of Miles Selden, the “Patriot Parson.” Below, he is pictured with the actor who played Peyton Randolf, the President of the convention.
No doubt, his granddaughter, Becky, was inspired by the performance.
During the summer, this reenactment is a weekly event. Last weekend’s was a special one done in connection with Veterans Day.
It’s fitting that we sponsored this event. Since 1999, the firm has handled Federal Tort Claims Act cases all over the country. The majority of our clients in these malpractice cases are veterans and military families. At this point, we have represented hundreds, if not more than a thousand.
Helping veterans and military families is more than just business for us. It’s also something of a calling. After all, Brewster Rawls is a veteran himself and grew up in a military family.
As an aside, on Sunday, Brewster said that he was reminded that in his fourth grade Virginia history class he was required to memorize Henry’s speech:
“Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Brewster said, “Inspiring words, albeit ironic considering that almost all of the men at the Second Convention were slave holders. Still, flawed characters though they were – as all of us are – our Founders set a high standard.
Liberty is, in fact, a life or death issue.”