Revolutionary Courage: The Unyielding Spirit of Samuel Whittemore

As I walked the streets near Cambridge, MA, the inscription on a weathered headstone caught my eye: “Near this spot Samuel Whittemore, then 80 years old, killed three British soldiers on April 19, 1775. He was shot, bayoneted, and beaten and left for dead but recovered and lived to be 98 years of age.”

The words seemed to leap off the stone, pulling me into a story from the American Revolution I’d long admired.

On April 19, 1775, as British soldiers retreated from Lexington and Concord, Whittemore positioned himself behind a stone wall in Menotomy (now Arlington, MA). Armed with a musket, two pistols, and a sword, he single-handedly took on the advancing troops. He fired his musket and brought down one British soldier. Without hesitation, he used his pistols to take down two more. With his ammunition spent, Whittemore didn’t stop. He drew his sword and continued to fight. The British soldiers, stunned by his defiance, responded with overwhelming force. They shot him in the face and bayoneted him repeatedly, leaving him for dead.

But Samuel Whittemore’s story didn’t end there.

Rescuers found him alive, still trying to reload his musket. He survived that brutal day and went on to live another 18 years, passing away at the age of 96. Whittemore’s courage and determination remind us that the call to serve our country and our communities knows no age, no limitation, no boundary.

I was preparing to give a speech at MIT, but in this moment, the modern world faded away. Here, among the fallen leaves and the silence of history, I stood at the grave of a man who defied the odds and became a symbol of resilience and courage—traits as vital today as they were two centuries ago. Whittemore’s legacy reminded me that the call to serve and stand for something greater knows no age or circumstance.

Samuel Whittemore didn’t let age hold him back when he became a hero of the American Revolution. At 78, an age when many would be content to reflect on a life well-lived, Whittemore chose to fight.  He became the oldest known combatant in the Revolutionary War.

Walking through Milk Row Cemetery, I felt connected to a lineage of service and sacrifice. As I read the inscription on Whittemore’s grave, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of awe. Here was a man who, at 78, chose to fight for the future—a future that I’m a part of today. His actions that day were about more than defending his home—they were about standing up for something greater: freedom, justice, and the right to shape our own future. It made me think about the legacy we all leave behind and the contributions we make, no matter our age or situation.

This isn’t just a lesson from history; it’s a call to action. In today’s world, where challenges seem ever-present and the road ahead often uncertain, Whittemore’s story speaks directly to us. His example urges us to find ways to serve, regardless of age, circumstance, or station in life. Whether through small acts of kindness or grand gestures of sacrifice, we are all called to contribute to the greater good. This spirit of service has defined our nation and will continue to propel us forward.

Whittemore’s actions echo the words of John Adams, who once said, “Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.” Whittemore took these words to heart, and his legacy reminds us that our duty to contribute never truly ends. And it’s not just an American tale—it’s a human one. Whittemore’s story speaks to anyone who believes in standing up for what’s right, in contributing to something greater than oneself. In today’s global world, his legacy transcends borders, reminding us all that courage and service are universal values.

Leaving Milk Row Cemetery and heading to MIT, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whittemore’s story reminded me that true service isn’t just about words or symbols—it’s about action. It’s about stepping forward, even when the odds seem insurmountable, and doing our part to ensure that the ideals we hold dear endure for future generations.

As I stood before the audience at MIT, I knew that each of us has a role to play in the ongoing story of our nation. Samuel Whittemore’s life serves as a powerful example of what one person can achieve, regardless of age or circumstance. His legacy calls each of us to rise to the occasion, to serve with courage, and to contribute in whatever way we can to the enduring story of America.

SC must boost cybersecurity strategy

I refreshed the screen, and I saw it: zero balance. I refreshed my crypto wallet again. Gone.

Despite being immersed in the tech world for nearly two decades, I fell victim to a sophisticated cyberattack. It can happen to any of us.

In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. The growing reliance on digital technology has transformed how we live, work and play. However, it is not without its risks.

Cybercriminals continue to find new ways to exploit vulnerabilities and threaten the security of individuals and businesses across the state.

According to the FBI’s 2022 Internet Crime Report, thousands of South Carolinians were victims of cybercrime, with aggregate losses of more than $100 million in 2022 alone. This more than doubled 2021’s losses of nearly $43 million.

In 2012, hackers attacked South Carolina’s Department of Revenue and stole nearly 3.8 million tax records.

After the breach, our state made immediate efforts to improve cybersecurity standards. However, South Carolina’s Information Security Program Master Policy and Handbook have not been updated since 2014.

More can and should be done.

We could start by developing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, broadening public-private partnerships and perhaps even establishing a dedicated cybersecurity agency.

By working together, we can allocate the necessary resources and implement robust defense mechanisms to ensure a safer digital future for all individuals and businesses in South Carolina.

As for the lost crypto, it was an expensive but valuable lesson that we can all take to heart.

Introducing The Palmetto Initiative

Friends,

I'm excited to share a dream nearly a year in the making. 

A dream born out of the love of our beautiful state, South Carolina, and a deep-seated belief in its untapped potential. 

On June 28th, we officially formed The Palmetto Initiative - an organization based in Charleston, SC. 

I remember speaking with a bright young student named Maya during a recent visit to Allendale. Maya dreams of becoming a software engineer, but her school lacks the resources to teach her the necessary technical skills. Her story is not unique. It's a story shared by many children across our state.

I remember my time at Clemson exploring the beauty of neighboring Oconee County. I witnessed healthcare access challenges firsthand, where the nearest medical facility could be 1 hour away. It was a challenge then and remains a significant challenge now.

These are surprisingly common stories that need to change.

South Carolina has long been a place of charm, resilience, and promise for centuries. Yet, despite its many assets, South Carolina has consistently ranked in the bottom ten among U.S. states recently. While this may not appear accurate on the surface in places like Charleston or Greenville, many South Carolina towns and counties lag far behind. 

According to SC's Department of Health and Environment Control (DHEC), nearly two-thirds of South Carolina counties are medically underserved.   

According to the Department of Education data, South Carolina consistently ranks in the bottom half of states on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

More can and should be done to improve curriculum and technical education to best equip students for the digital age.

This does not reflect the state's potential but rather is a call to action for change.

That's why we've founded The Palmetto Initiative. Our mission is to ensure that everyone in South Carolina, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age. We aim to introduce programming in all public schools, help implement technical workforce development programs, and improve South Carolina's digital infrastructure.

We aim to equip the leaders of tomorrow with the right mix of technical skills to promote excellence in merit-based governance. We will fund and publish policy research and implement robust public-private partnerships to improve SC’s most significant challenges. We believe that technology and innovation can play a crucial role here.

But our vision doesn't stop there. Our ultimate goal is for South Carolina to be ranked among the top 10 states by 2030. This audacious vision encapsulates our commitment to driving significant, measurable improvements in our state's digital economy, education, and quality of life.

This journey won't be easy. It will require hard work, dedication, and the collective effort of all South Carolinians. But I believe in our state, and I believe in our people. Together, we can turn this vision into reality.

I invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Whether it's by volunteering or simply spreading the word about our work, your support can make a difference.

Let's work together to make South Carolina a place where every child can learn, every entrepreneur can thrive, and every resident can live a fulfilling life.

We thank you for your support.

Best,

Justin
Co-Founder
The Palmetto Initiative

Healthcare

I often think about how important affordable and prevalent access to healthcare is to our future.  More than 29,000 people die every day from treatable and preventable causes and more than 45,000 people from general lack of healthcare.  Many other issues, such as poverty, economic, and war stem from insufficient access to healthcare.  

Simply put, access to healthcare is the greatest challenge of our generation.

I believe that if you could choose one technological advancement to help the most people in the world, connecting every person on the planet to quality and affordable healthcare is probably it.  As history shows, societies and individual quality of life have dramatically improved in direct correlation to improved access to affordable healthcare.  

From the elucidation of human anatomy in 1543 to the invention of body imaging in 1895, and to recent advancements in pharmacotherapy, the effective treatment and prevention of disease has extended life expectancy, reduced disability and holistically increased public optimism beyond what anyone could imagine.  The overall improvements have been outstanding.

The 21st century is one of transition.  I am confident the 22nd century is going to be the century of complete democratization of healthcare.  How exactly this transition will unfold is a mystery, but the challenge is ours to make it happen.

Currently, most of the focus on improving healthcare is targeted at a political level.  In many countries, such as the United States, healthcare is systematically broken.  Governments, which tend to focus on solutions that increase complexity, cannot effectively solve the problem of providing access to quality and affordable healthcare across the globe.  

Although some may cite countries such as Sweden, Singapore and Switzerland (among others), which objectively are working quite well, these models have yet to be effectively proven at scale.

Moving forward, we must focus on instantly connecting every person on the planet to quality and affordable healthcare.

Our future depends on it.