Happy Fourth of July! (vanity)

Unknown

[MonroeDNA]

Happy 4th of July

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners: men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall and straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of the declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: Freedom is never free! I hope you show your support by sharing this with as many people as you can. It's time we get the word out that Patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

~Author Unknown~

[MonroeDNA]

Early happy Fourth, to all Freeper Patriots.

The spirit lives in all of us.

[rattrap]

Happy fourth everyone, time for a weeks vacation to sunny(hopefully) florida.

[Texagirl4W]

I've read this before but it bears reading every year. Impressive home page. Happy fourth back to you.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Happy Fourth of July! (vanity)

This is no vanity..it is what we are..we are a compilation of people...who for better or for worse....have decided..that freedom works best.

There is no doubt in my mind...that our fore fathers..somehow....got it right the first time.

[perfect stranger]

Independence Day fireworks here

[MonroeDNA]

Hey thanks!

Yes, posted before, and well worth reading again, IMH (vanity)O.

[MonroeDNA]

Wonderful!!!!!

[potlatch]

Very interesting article. A happy and safe 4TH of JULY to all.

[MonroeDNA]

I heard on the radio today, that this was written by Rush's grandfather.

I appologize for not giving credit where due.

What family line, Rush and his grandfather, both!!!!!

[nutmeg]

I heard on the radio today, that this was written by Rush's grandfather.

I believe I heard the same today on Rush's show. Excellent post, thank you.

Happy Fourth of July to you and to all FReepers!

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Ben Bolt]

To all . For those who come behind us .

[ladyinred]

Wishing all freepers and their families a wonderful Independence Day!
Thank you to all of those who are serving, or have served in the military forces who defend the freedom we enjoy!
May we never forget the sacrifices you all have made, some gave their lives, some lost loved ones that we might be free!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!!! Freedom isn't free!

[ladyinred]

Wow! The fireworks look and sound so real!

Groovy! Thanks!

[Paulie]

Thanks for the ping - great article. Happy 4th to you.

[firebrand]

Thanks for the ping! Happy Fourth of July!

[thasea]

Thanks for the ping. May one and all have a happy and safe...

[VOA]

Let Freedom Ring...
especially loudly for those 200+ Navy personnel who were just sworn in as
US citizens aboard the aircraft carrier Constellation!

[VOA]

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not
wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means
and education.


Not to be politically-correct, but let's give The Ladies of The Revolution some air-time!
Got to hear historian David Barton speaking about the strength and sacrifice of the
wives of the Founding Fathers today on the "Focus on The Family" radio show.

Even if James Dobson or his Focus On The Family aren't your favorite "cup of tea",
it was an interesting recounting of the other strong-willed pillars that
brought the world the American Revolution/Experiment.

Go to either www.family.org or directly to this URL to listen to the session:
http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/


I got a chuckle when historian Barton said that the personal correspondence of a number
of the Founding Fathers had a sentence or two like this "My wife was right on this
subject. I should have listened to her."
LOL!