dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I hope you like this as much as I did.

Dennis

4th of July



Have you ever wondered or wanted to remember 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!

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.

--

In God We Trust.

dljen Loc: Central PA

I didn't know this, Dennis. It seems that document meant the ruination of many. Sad.

Thanks for sharing, I learned something today.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

1stJedi Loc: Southern Orange County

This Document (presumably you mean The Declaration Of Independence) does NOT mean the ruination of so many; but rather, that 56 MEN were willing to risk ALL they had or would EVER have to support the dream that all of US should live free, and to determine for ourselves how we are to be governed. Specifically, they solemnly pledged their Lives, their Fortunes, and their Sacred Honor in the pursuit of that dream.

How can ANY of us now living in These United States of America not be willing to live with similar Integrity and Courage, . . . and to comport ourselves accordingly?

UXOEOD

Those great patriots' sacrifices and investiment in the future paid off well for all Americans, and in fact for the world. While we, us living in the USA, are the direct benefactors of their sacrifices, I beleive the whole world is better for what they brought to the world.

God Bless them, and I pray we all live lives worthy of their great sacrifices.

dljen Loc: Central PA

That document was the ruination of so many...I was referring to the signers. You always act like you're looking for a fight. Relax, Jedi, go back to looking in the mirror.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I am not sure I can put this into the correct words but I will try. You are right. The Declaration of Independence signed so many years ago tomorrow did bring death and ruination for the signers. Since then many Millions of Americans have faced the same ruin and death to promote freedom not only in America but throughout the whole world.

Even our own Civil War was fought to give freedom to slaves held in America. Thousands upon thousands of men died just for that reason. Sadly, today, July 3rd is the anniversary of the last day of the three day Battle of Gettysburg which commenced on July 1st, 1863. Everyone has heard of Gettysburg but it was a 3 day slugfest where there were over 50,000 casualties. I know the Civil War had other defining qualities as well but slavery ended in America because of mainly White men fighting other White men so Black men and women could be free. Sadly slavery still exists in the world today but not in America.

Look at the United States today. Millions of people sneak in to our country because of the opportunities we offer. No other country in history has the opportunities offered by this great land. For all of our problems in America who can name another country in the world where people are trying to enter so vehemently. None, no other country.

Those 56 original signers suffered as did the Patriots who fought in the Revolutionary War. If you have never read about the suffering at Valley Forge you should take a look at it. It is remarkable story of determination and bravery of men and women who wanted to keep freedom alive in early America.

Yes, they all suffered greatly but so too are our men and women in uniform today who will give everything to bring freedom to the world, to give other countries a taste of the freedoms we have long enjoyed.

We as Americans DO hold a special trust in the world. We ARE an exceptional country because we are a land of many cultures who will come together when attacked and fight to the death to preserve our way of life. What truly makes us exceptional is we will fight to the death for people of another country as well. We are just following the example of 56 men many years ago. We owe it to them to keep this trust of freedom alive.

Dennis

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

I once read the signers knew that by signing they
were signing their own death warrant.
ronny

dljen Loc: Central PA

Thank you for the very fine response, Dennis. I have been following the Gettysburg battles on FB as to this being the anniversary of the fighting. Although Gettysburg is in my state, Mom and Dad never took us there to visit when we were kids. I guess dragging 6 rugrats to a battle field wasn't their idea of a fun time!

Thanks again, Dennis and I wish you a happy weekend.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

To you and yours as well.

Dennis

magicray Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

A mixture of true and false information.


http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Ahhhh Mythology!

The thing that ignorant people thrive on.

It does serve a purpose, it gives one an undeserved ego and in this case promotes the idea of American Exceptionalism.

Have no doubt we are a great nation, we have given much, but like all nations we have taken much too.

A balanced look at one's history makes for a stronger nation than one built on BS like many of the feelings above.

The nation has become stronger each time it has expanded the franchise, cared for the poor, sponsored scientific research, and made it easier to participate in the democratic process, and welcomed immigrants.

What has happened to that which has made us great?

richard-sports Loc: New York City

Amazing how this happens SO OFTEN on UHH.
Must be something about the folks here.
They are into exaggeration and obfuscation as a hobby.

UXOEOD

Don't be so hard on Obama and the Democrats, they routinely adjust his story and bio to fit their agenda. Yes, it can be frustrating, but then again, I don't beleive in fairy tales either.

And do not immediately think that Scopes.com is above adjusting words to fit their agenda.

BTW, George Washington may not have actually chopped down the Cherry Tree, and you may not have been your loving wife's first.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

I'm just waiting for some one to blame it on the Democrats. With all the confiscating of wealth, & giving it to the poor etc, I can see the critics seething in their guts.
I see further down there are the rationalisers perspective but the story leaves questions about comparative attitudes today.
The rich would fight tooth & Nail to keep their wealth & let the poor perish.
Still dwell on historic times, SOO Yesterday.