Do You Know the Price Our Founders Paid?

Good morning my fellow Rotarians.  This morning I want to talk about Independence Day. As we all know, freedom is never free!  Consider what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

• Five were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and destroyed by fire.
• Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; two others’ sons were captured.
• Nine 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?

Well, twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants and business owners; nine were farmers and plantation owners. They signed the Declaration 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 destroyed by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of 8 other signers.  Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. They jailed his wife who died within months.

Many others suffered similar fates.  These are true stories about the men of the American Revolution.

They were well educated and they had their security, but they valued their liberty and freedom more.

They firmly pledged: "For the support of this 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 us a free and independent America. During the Revolutionary War we didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!

Some take our liberties for granted, yet we owe a debt of gratitude to these patriots who came before us.

So, it’s not just another “holiday” at the beach.  Sure, we all should enjoy family, a picnic, a baseball game, fireworks and time off.  But at some point this next week, take time to reflect on the history, struggle, sacrifice and significance behind the celebration.  

I thank God for our “Independence Day” in America.  And the fact that freedom is never free!

This is our news for this Friday, June 29, 2012.   

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