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How often do we think about the original thirteen states that declared their independence from Great Britain? Are our children familiar with young men like Jabez Fitch and Joseph Hodgkins? Or little John Greenwood, who was 16 years old and Israel Trask, who was 10?
“They were boys marching with the Revolutionary troops as fifers or drummers or messenger boys, and they were in rags.” (David McCullough’s book 1776) An Unknown author may have answered the questions above better than we can; “Their silent graves speak louder than any words ever could. Remember them.”
Hopefully, as we celebrate Independence Day July 4, 2025 we will remember General Patton’s admonition, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”
We must not forget what they did. We must not allow their enthusiasm for freedom, liberty and Independence to be forgotten. We must remember that we are the beneficiaries of their sacrifices. More importantly, we must keep our patriotic blood hot and flowing, knowing that their blood was “the seed of freedom’s tree.” (Thomas Campbell)
Many of them fought and died so that we could live to fight again, if necessary! Thus, we must not be lulled to sleep while the enemy of all that is good whispers in our ears, “eat, drink and be merry.” The greatest of all tests might be the test of prosperity. Man has proven over and over again that he can overcome staggering misfortune, devastating conditions of nature, and the unthinkable cruelty and savagery of war.
We must realize that we live in the day prophesied long ago when men would call “good evil and evil good.” Today, the very foundations of our founding principles are challenged as “old fashioned.” Secularism is the irreligion that ultra-liberals use to destroy true religion.
Man has proven over and over again that he is easily tempted when his stomach is full, his pocketbook is fat, and his way is smooth. Then, in hindsight and remorse, he realizes that he was in great jeopardy while thinking that his barns were full.
While delightfully enjoying, as we should, the activities surrounding July 4th, we must allow some quiet time to ponder the real blessings of independence. Individual independence! We should think and ponder thoughts like these or others of your choice. We are free to choose. Our government derives its power from us. We elect those who govern us. We can criticize or praise our government. All eligible citizens can and should vote, but only once.
God bless those who declared and pledged their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for Independence. When we hear or think of these additional sacred and hallowed words our hearts should swell with gratitude: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Knowing of their human frailties, we should be utterly convinced that Heavenly Father and His Son had divine compassion on them and were well pleased with their efforts. We should conclude that indeed His Will endowed them with the fortitude to declare their Independence.
Along with former President John F. Kennedy, we should remember, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
We, the people should “Remember them.”
