[g'nad]

The Declaration of Independence was approved this day, July 4, 1776. John Hancock signed first, saying "the price on my head has just doubled."

Benjamin Franklin signed saying "We must hang together or most assuredly we shall hang separately."

Of the fifty-six signers: 17 lost their fortunes, 12 had their homes destroyed, 9 died during the war, 5 became prisoners of war, 1 had two sons imprisoned on the British starving ship Jersey and 1 lost his son in the War.

As Samuel Adams signed, he said:
"We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."

John Adams wrote of the day:
"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty...
I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration...Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory...
Posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we may regret it, which I trust in God we shall not."

God bless the Republic... more importantly, may we be worthy of His blessings...

[osagebowman]

Morning g'nad - well said;

Flags are starting to go up now that the rain has passed us by (heading your way).

The shire is quiet this morning; just the dog walkers enjoying this brief respite of cooler weather.

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies and gents.

John Phillip Sousa in Paris 1901.

See the man...

United States Marine Band - The Stars And Stripes Forever

And now for something different.

Stars and Stripes Forever on piano and banjo.

The Stars and Stripes Forever! (lyrics by John Philip Sousa)

Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.

Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.

Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

[Lil'freeper]

God bless the Republic... more importantly, may we be worthy of His blessings...

Amen! Happy Independence Day!!

And Happy Birthday to SuziQ and Corin!

[SuziQ]

God bless the Republic... more importantly, may we be worthy of His blessings...

AMEN, brother!!