America’s Founding Fathers came to this country seeking religious freedom, economic opportunities and political liberty. They formed 13 colonies, but colonists did not have the freedom to make their own laws. They paid high taxes to the British government and had no equal representation. These and many other unfair conditions led to a severance of the settlers’ ties to Great Britain and the creation of The Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The Declaration for Liberty
The Declaration represents the core of our beliefs, the very makeup of our identity as Americans, which is summarized in these words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . . .” This idea has given us the courage to forge our own paths as individuals and as a nation.
At great risk, every generation of Americans has stood up to many forms of tyranny and oppression, no matter the cost, no matter how long it has taken, so that liberty would prevail.
The Price of Liberty
When we have paid a great price for something, we cherish it because we recognize its value. And yet that same object loses its value when others have paid for it and it costs us little or nothing. After more than 200 years of national independence, the sacrifices made for our freedom are easily taken for granted and we quickly lose sight of the cost.
Liberty has not come cheap. History indicates that 344,959 lives were lost in World Wars I and II alone! These soldiers willingly gave their lives so that their sons, daughters and other Americans would be blessed by their sacrifices.
As we reap the benefits of liberty, may we be reminded every time we celebrate Independence Day never to take our freedom lightly.
These words are a reminder of the blessings of this great country:
My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring! [Watch Video]
America, Happy Independence Day! Let freedom ring!
Article by Dr. L.W. Edwards
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