Independence Day: July 4 1776

"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

235 years ago 56 men drafted and signed a document that had these words as the last line. They knew the gravity of what they about to do, and these words reflect that. They were committing high treason against the Crown.

If caught, they would surely hang for their actions and their words.

One, John Hancock, already had a price on his head. $500. When he signed it, he is said to have remarked that by his signature, he hoped that the price would double. He made sure to sign large enough so that King George could see it without his spectacles.

We hold our Founding Fathers to be somwhat old and wise. Wise they certainly were, but only one could be considered old; Ben Franklin. He was in his early 60's at the time. Most of the others were young by today's standards. 18 of them were under 40 and 3 of them were in their 20's. They came from all walks of life. Lawyers, a doctor or two, shopkeepers, tavern owners, ministers, and farmers.

Ordinary men undertaking an extraordinary task. Severing the bonds of tyranny and creating a new Nation.

Some of these men would not live to see it to fruition, and others would suffer greatly and literally lose everything because of their actions.  But they did it nonetheless. Fully knowing the ramifications of their actions. It was said by one observer in the room " in no face was he able to discern real fear.".

I am eternally grateful to those 56 men. Both for what they did, and what they created. Every freedom I enjoy today is because of them and their actions on that hot summer day in Philadelphia in 1776.

So thank you, Messrs. Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton, John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery, Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris, Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross, Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean, Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.