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!
I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many people as you can, please. It’s time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.
Semper Fidelis
So today, I stopped at a red light up here and a guy screamed from the side walk through my window. All he wanted was a ride 4 or 5 lights down, maybe about a mile. I was hesitant, but I was by my self and there was plenty of light out. So I gave him a ride like I have done for a few others in my life and I figured I would help him out. Well at the end of the mile long drive, I stopped to let him out. When I had stopped, someone behind me had pulled up and then started honking, but then swerved around me. He muttered something then, that I think I have been missing in my life for some time. It made me think a lot. He muttered “no patience”. I don’t think its something I will forget for quite some time. I have been lacking patience in my life. Its so clear now. I need patience, and I will strive again for it. He touched me so vividly today.
I wrote this to someone else. Thought I would duplicate it here. Small life changing moment in my life and figured it could be in someone elses.
“The Art Of War” translated by Thomas Cleary
Im realizing more and more these days that my current age group are getting married for all the wrong reasons. They aren’t in love. They are scared of being lonely. So they find the best match for them at the current moment and hope one day they will fall in love not thinking about the endless supply of other matches out in the world for them. Sad to see someone give up and just settle for good. Instead they should be reaching for the moon and landing among the stars. No wonder why we see so many divorces these days. Maybe people in their 30’s are understanding that they shouldn’t have married if they weren’t in love. I guess I won’t know until I reach my 30’s since they aren’t my current age group.
Write when you drink, edit when your sober.
This was sent from a friend who works at Nasa about President Obama’s Visit today. I thought I would share to see how open and Transparent the man is.
One important note: No transparency at all. They bused and/or flew in 200 folks (we assume who would not boo him) and kicked everyone out of the O&C building for the WHOLE day (where a friend works - he had to take a vacation day, some were reassigned, others maybe got NASA $ for the day off, we’re not sure) and to think EVERYONE on base is badged and has security clearance but we weren’t GOOD ENOUGH to be there to witness his speech! I am appalled at this arrogance and lack of respect for KSC and CCAFS workforce who would have wanted to be there. They may cite security reasons, but why when the base is so secure we’re not allowed to carry weapons, even if we have a concealed weapons permit to do so, and again have all of our security clearances to work there. Just that part alone, was disturbing enough.
Then add the spin of adding 2500 jobs. But 7000-9000 will go away this October. Unreal. And he invited Kosmas but not Posey. Kosmas even flew on Air Force One with him. Russia and China will be on mars before us. Private contractors who are NOT going to be under the umbrella of NASA aren’t going to mars or the moon or anywhere just to meet Obama’s mission they’ll go for profit, to take care of their shareholders. Many are interested in mining on the moon you know. And I could go on.
