4th of July and video

Tomorrow millions of people in this country will be celebrating the 4th of July.  This day has come to mean hot dogs and hamburgers, fireworks and sparklers to a lot of people.  But to those who signed the Declaration of Independence it meant death--death in the pursuit of freedom.

Each signature challenged the English monarchy with this one statement:  Come kill me and my family, destroy all those I love, but I will not live oppressed.

In a day and age where few Americans are willing to live without their TVs or cell phones, perhaps we should be reminded of how those who first dreamed of what this nation could be decided to sacrifice everything they had.

Those first patriots were called Yankees, but they embraced that derogatory term and wore it with pride.  And though they were willing to give everything up, those who lived through the years of war gained something the world could not have imagined--freedom, rights, a voice, the chance to rule themselves.

Since the beginning of our government and this free nation, there have been those who hated us and what we stood for.  They have fought to undermine our Constitution because those words give hope to billions around the world.

Like the kid with the shiny new toy in the playground, we must be prepared to fight to protect what is ours from those who wish to trample it underfoot.

So when you look at those fireworks tomorrow night, remember why those first patriots stood as one against England.  Remember what they fought for and what their descendants are still fighting for.  Freedom is never a guarantee.  It must be bought and paid for each and every generation, by soldiers and citizens alike.