Lives, Fortunes, and Sacred Honor!

Today has reminded me of the blessings of freedom that we have had. I am deeply grateful for the Founders of this Nation; knowing of their sacrifices in behalf of all who were to come after them. I wonder how much we know of them; their lives, their studies, their extreme efforts.

Today this e-mail was sent to me. I'm attaching it here as I felt it very worthy of review. I have seen the hand of God in the founding of this nation and hope that we will all take time to renew our efforts to defend the God-given principles of liberty.
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"In the 1800s there was a tradition at every 4th of July celebration. There were parades, cookouts, games, and fun. Cannon fire, fireworks, and more. Yet there were two key traditions which we should consider giving new life to.
First is prayer. No sect driven focus, simply a moment all shared in appreciation for the divine influence their Creator had on daily life with each other. Remember, governing is simply people agreeing how they will treat each other. Respect is the easiest, single word to describe a successful society governed in freedom.
Second, and one we can all embrace, is the reading of our country's birth certificate. The Declaration of Independence always was read toward the end of the festivities. It was an honor to be chosen to read it. It would be good to hear it read many times, many places today!
Happy Independence Day!!

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, Gwinnett, 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 home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
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!