Father & Son capture the Spirit of ‘76 … 50 years apart

These two poems are penned by father and son, Paul Joseph Wise and Jason Wise. Both are U.S. Army Veterans and Noblesville natives. Jason now lives in Tipton County.

In July 1976, the Noblesville Ledger published a story and photographs of Paul, as well as his Bicentennial poem titled “One Nation Under God” that appears below left. He passed away in 1987 when Jason was still a child.

For the country’s semiquincentennial – and in honor of his father –Jason wrote “One Nation Still Under God.”

Thank you both for your service to this great nation and for sharing your poems with readers.

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One Nation Under God

Written by Paul Joseph Wise
July 4, 1976 — The 200th Year

From time to time we need to pause
In silent contemplation
Of the heritage which brought about
This bright and shining nation

For if we disregard the years
Since our nation had its birth
We may somehow fail to notice
Just how much our freedom’s worth

History tells the time and place
Men proudly stood as brothers
Willing then to fight and die
To meet the needs of others

The ruthless hand of tyranny 
That sought to beat them down
Met headlong with the tempest which
Lashed out against the crown

Defiantly their souls spoke out
To gain their equal station
With declaration why they were
Impelled to separation

Standing firm with dauntless courage
They resolved forevermore
To free themselves if need be
By the crucible of war

Blind hatred didn’t drive them on
But visions crisp and clear
Of a nation brimming over
With freedom everywhere

Against overwhelming odds
They fought against restrictions
With an arsenal of courage
And the strength of their convictions

For they believed as we today
That no man can be greater
Than fellow men whose rights have been
Endowed by their Creator

These men imparted principles
To later generations
Which helped to make America
The greatest of all nations

Truly they have lit our pathway
With a lamp that cannot dim
It’s the grand illumination
Wrought by faith alone in Him

And looking back two hundred years
O’er all the roads we’ve trod
We find success as we remain
One Nation Under God!

 

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One Nation Still Under God

Written by Jason Wise
July 4, 2026 — The 250th Year

Two hundred fifty years have passed
Since freedom’s bell first tolled,
When hopeful hearts in trembling faith
Defied a tyrant’s hold.

Upon that parchment, bold and clear,
Their sacred honor signed,
Declaring men were born with rights
That could not be confined.

Through winter’s frost at Valley Forge,
Through cannon’s smoke and flame,
Through whispered prayers in darkest hours
Their steadfast courage came.

Not perfect men, nor flawless times,
Yet guided from Above,
They strove to build a shining land
Upon liberty and love.

The centuries have tested us
With trial, fire, and scar —
Brother set ‘gainst brother once,
And children sent to wars afar

We’ve walked through shadowed valleys deep,
Through sorrow, loss, and pain,
Yet still the lamp of freedom burns
Across the fruited plain.

For though the storms of doubt arise
And tempests ‘round us roar,
May the truths that shaped our founding days
Stand firm forevermore.

That every soul has sacred worth,
No matter creed nor name;
That justice, tempered well with grace,
Exalts a nation’s frame.

So let us pause in gratitude
On this historic day,
And guard with prayer the precious gift

They forged in such a way.

May we, like them, with courage rise
When liberty is trod,
Determined still to keep this land
One Nation Under God.

And if our children one day ask
What marked this milestone year,
May we be known as faithful hearts
Who chose hope over fear.

For freedom’s flame is ours to tend,
Its stewardship our rod —
That generations yet unborn
May praise our sovereign God.