Independence Day

If you have ever noticed the photo at the top of my blog, you realize that Independence Day is a big thing. Unfortunately, we have been taught to call the holiday the 4th of July instead of what it is, Independence Day.

On July 4, 1776, The United States of America had its birth. Fifty-six men risked everything by signing that document. With their signing, they became outlaws, traitors, revolutionaries, hunted and some of the bravest men on the earth. They knew that signing would likely bring about their deaths and the deaths of their family members. Yet the document contained things too valuable to let go of. Here is a link that will take you to the list of signers and a biography of each one of these brave men.
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers

What was the difference between these men and the ones that later worked out and wrote the Constitution of The United States of America? They were all inspired by God to set apart and build a country that would allow the freedoms we were given by our Heavenly Father. They were wise men with a great deal of knowledge and common sense. With the inspiration they were given, both documents have lasted centuries and have been the greatest success on this earth in governments. Yet the ones that risked all on July 4, 1776 were selfless, and loving men that knew that their sacrifice must be made to allow the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms that they and two million, two hundred, twenty-five thousand more would sacrifice their lives to defend over the last 234 years.

Today I read an entry on FaceBook that made me need to write this post. A friend of mine said she was sad because her younger brother was shipping out for Iraq today.

How do you react to such a statement? This is a young man, just as brave as those who signed the Declaration of Independence 234 years ago. Now he goes out to defend that same document, The Constitution, our country, our flag and us.

My only thoughts are thank you, may Heavenly Father bless you and all of the others that serve with you, with safety and protection that you may return home safely to your families. To the families: thank you for your family member's sacrifice and your sacrifice while they are gone. May you be blessed also and may you know of our gratitude for this sacrifice.

We have seen The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of The United States of America and the history of our country and founding fathers warped and bent out of shape over many years. Much too far in the recent years. We owe all of the 56 and the 2.25 million more than this for their sacrifices to bring them to us and to protect them.

It is now up to us, all of us, to restore them to their original greatness, the truthfulness of who they were and what they risked. We don't take up arms to do so. We lift our hands and vote. Vote for those that understand the importance of these documents and histories, ones that will return us to them without needing to change them, and ones that are just as willing to sacrifice to do so as the 56, the 2.25 million and all of those who have served or are serving now. Not only is this the patriotic thing to do, but it is also the right thing to do. Heavenly Father gave us these blessings; we will loose them if we do not honor, sustain, treasure and love them just as he gave them to us.

We have four months until we will all be called to do our part. We need to study, register to vote; get our family, friends, neighbors and associates to do so also. Then on November 2, 2010, ALL of us need to put forth our effort to vote so that we don't lose these things that we were blessed with and watch our country die for laziness to protect it.

We need to be able to look in the eyes of those that serve in harms way and are willing to sacrifice all and be able to report that we carried out our part here at home, where we sleep well because they stand guard.

May God bless America and all of our troops and all those who serve to protect it! Happy Independence Day!