Independence Day: Thanking the Patriots

Two hundred and thirty years ago today, July 4th, America declared it’s independence and freedom from any other government’s control. From that moment on, the citizens of America have struggled, fought and died for the nation that today is considered one of the wealthiest and Godliest in the world. Though our fathers before us paid the ultimate price in creating a democracy and keeping peace, it’s easy to fall into the thinking that the same effort is not required of us today to retain that safety.

Creating a government and founding a nation is hard work, to be sure, but defending the freedoms found here in the States is as equally important and demanding a task. Often we take our freedoms for granted, and begin to even scorn the men and women that work hard to protect the constitution. Until we experience the loss of freedoms and comforts upfront, we have a hard time imagining life without them… and the people that enable them.

American patriots today: who are they?

So who are the people who have worked faithfully behind the scenes for the past 200 years? Who are the men and women who continue to protect our very lives today, though we very rarely consider them? They are, very simply, the patriots. During the Revolutionary War, it was the patriots who fought on fresh American soil to protect a wild land already dear to them, and today, it is the same fierce pride and strength of patriotism that we find in our U.S. soldiers.

Though many people do not fully understand what our U.S. military accomplishes and protects when we deploy our troops, their objective and focus over the past 200 years has not wavered from the mission to protect and defend America: whatever it takes to keep us a free nation, they are ready and willing to give up their lives if necessary.

A true patriot knows clearly what he believes, and does not back down when the time comes to protect and defend those beliefs. Our military is a true patriotic force, and if anyone deserves to be applauded this July 4th, it is the men and women fighting so strongly and so bravely for a worthy cause: our lives.

Continuing in the fight for freedom

While this nation may be politically divided, and each man different in his opinions, one thing is for sure: without our troops, past and present, we would not be alive. But of this one truth you can be sure of: America is worth every patriot that has given his (or her) life for this nation we call our home, and today we need to give thanks for those who died in battle so that we might live at all.

While we gather with family, feast on hamburgers and enjoy the fireworks, we need to remember that the fight is not done. Protecting this nation of endless comforts and opportunities will never be done, and for those who are sitting alone, in the heat and the sand half a world away, I send my most heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

May America NEVER, EVER for a moment forget: the truth, strength and vision in the patriots of yesterday lives on in the hearts of the patriots today, and so this 4th of July, I give thanks for our U.S. military.


“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States…”

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

The unanimous Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776