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The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
Posted on 07/03/2005 1:42:08 PM PDT by Steve Newton
INDEPENDENCE
The old sergeant was walking through the compound toward his make shift office. Along the way he passed several impromptu celebrations going on for the 4th of July. There were several home made barbecues cooking up God knew what and his whole platoon was gathered around sitting on the sand talking about home and hearth.
(Excerpt) Read more at steven.newton1.home.att.net ...
The old sergeant was walking through the compound toward his make shift office. Along the way he passed several impromptu celebrations going on for the 4th of July. There were several home made barbecues cooking up God knew what and his whole platoon was gathered around sitting on the sand talking about home and hearth.
One of the goon squad called out. “Hey pappy! Come and have a hot dog and join the chat.”
Pappy walked over and grabbed a hot dog and sat with his platoon and listened to the chatter.
“When I get home I’m going to have a major celebration for the 4th,” one said. Beer, burgers and baseball. Man won’t that be great?”
Pappy sat silently for a long time until he finally got up to leave.
A 3rd squad soldier asked, “Pappy, what are you going to do for the 4th?”
Pappy looked at his men for a minute and then said, “Well, I think I will say a prayer for the men and women who died to give us the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day. There is nothing wrong with beer, burgers and baseball but don’t forget why we all take time out to remember this day.”
“Let me ask you ladies a question. Do you know what happen to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?”
“Uh,” one squad member said.
Pappy said, “Yeah that’s what I thought. Well you girls might be interested to know that of the 56 men who signed the document, 5 were captured by the British, charged as traitors and were tortured before they died. 12 had their homes ransacked and burned to the ground. 2 lost sons fighting in the revolution and 2 more had sons captured. 9 of the 56 fought in the war themselves and were killed or died from the hardships. They signed the Declaration of Independence and thus put their lives, their fortunes and their honor on the line to build a new and free country.”
“Do you know who these men were?
24 were lawyers and jurists. 11 were merchants, 9 were farmers or large plantation owners and the others were members of various other professions. Most were men of means and well educated but the ALL singed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that if the British captured them, it would mean death.
“Carter Braxton of Virginia was a wealthy planter and trader. He saw all his ships destroyed by the British and he sold his home and properties to pay off his debts. He died in rags.”
“The British chased Thomas McKeam so relentlessly that he was forced to move his family constantly. He served in Congress without pay and his family was kept in constant hiding. His possessions were confiscated and his reward was poverty.”
“Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyword, Ruttledge and Middleton had their properties looted by soldiers or vandals.”
“At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson family home for his headquarters. He still quietly urged General George Washington to open fire and the home was destroyed. Nelson also died in poverty.”
“Frances Lewis had his home and properties destroyed and the British jailed his wife, where she died just months later. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bed, as she lay sick. His 13 children had to flee into hiding and Hart’s fields and gristmill were destroyed. He lived in caves and the forest for over a year and when he returned he found his wife had died and his children had vanished.”
“Ouch,” one of his men said with feeling.
“Yes Ouch.” Pappy said. “So you see it’s ok to celebrate. But as you do you might want to say a little prayer of thanks for the men and women who came before you to fight and die for freedom.”
“Now. Pass me another dog.”
Steve Newton
The "Old Sergeant" is fictional
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Thank you
Your right. In researching the story I was amazed at the sacrifice our founding fathers endured.
I also wonder how much we would give up today for freedom.
Steve Newton
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