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Declaration of Independence is a Celebration of Sacrifice, American Independence and God
By Kevin Fobbs
July 1, 2004

The fourth of July holiday is approaching this coming week and once again is a time for fireworks, picnics, and celebrations with family and friends. It is also an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate our precious freedoms - particularly in these challenging times of terrorism both at home and abroad. It is also important to honor the memories of those original signers and those who rose above their own comfort to stand for a concept larger than their own life, their own safety, their own family and personal sacrifice.

While we may have all heard the names of those who signed the Declaration of Independence, have you ever wondered who were these 56 men who signed the document? These long forgotten men signed and pledged their lives and their fortunes for the promise of freedom. What kind of men were they who would pledge their life for a piece of paper which offered no promise of a certain future but the founding fathers knew that by signing the Declaration of Independence the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Who were these men, and what made them different? Their occupations were varied. Their personal occupations were as diverse as the 13 original colonies they hailed from. Twenty-four signers were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants; nine were farmers and large plantation owners. What did they sacrifice?

Well, five of the original signers were captured by the British as traitors, and were tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. As you can see, this is more than a casual collection of factual occurrences. Their personal sacrifice is our freedom and our inheritance. These were understandably incredible sacrifices, from common men who demonstrated uncommon valor that makes our 228th 4th of July celebration this coming week possible.

But what core belief guided them and fueled their passion for justice above personal safety, and sacrifice above personal comfort 228 years ago? It appears evident that their strength and moral conviction was founded in the very cornerstone of the document they signed. Their belief and faith in "our Creator" appears to be the common cord, which held steadfast the fabric, which created the tapestry of our independence that they created for us.

Just imagine that day in 1776, when the words of the Declaration of Independence were first spoken in that Congressional Hall. Think about the fullness of their hearts as they heard the stirring eloquence of these words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

It is important to note as we look at what we are celebrating that we fully understand the essence of the words we are celebrating as well. It helps us to understand why it is essential that we draw a line in the sand against the ACLU and other liberal organizations which are attempting to rip the phrase "Under God" out of the very heart of the Pledge of Allegiance.

The signers turned to God at the beginning of our nation's history. They specifically refer to him by name in our founding document. Shouldn't that be enough to convince even the extreme doubter that these signers were not trying to create a national religion, but rather freedom of religion not from religion? They focused on creating a sovereign nation which has national beliefs soundly planted in the firmament of our values of faith, God, and preservation of life.

The men who signed the document the 4th of July stood by those solemn words and it certainly bears repeating and appreciating"...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life..." In the closing as in the beginning of the Declaration of Independence, the signers again turn to God for guidance. "

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States" They close out this section by stating, "--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."

With God, their creator as the core of their deeply held belief, the signers were able to firmly embrace a document, which met peril for them and certainly for their property as well as for their families. So on July 4, 1776, using their God bestowed common sense, and without any hesitation or reservation. Congress unanimously passed Declaration of Independence.

On this 228th celebration of our Declaration of Independence let us begin to sacrifice a little of our time, our energy and our summer vacation to join the letter writing campaign and state-by-state petition drives to encourage Congress to pass the "Pledge Protection Act". By getting involved this summer we will be strongly encouraging Congress to reaffirm the rightful use of the phrase "under God" as an essential part of America's culture and history while preserving the Pledge of Allegiance from future litigation.

The Pledge Protection Act would Amend the Federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any court established by Act of Congress to hear or determine any claim that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance violates the first amendment of the Constitution. It is also important to note this Act has bi-partisan support with 225 Republican and Democrat sponsors, and the last sponsor being added on June 1st.

We can win this fight to protect the freedom of Americans to openingly express their allegiance to the principle that there is a God, and that God does grant all of us the essential purpose of government to protect these rights.

Let's stand correct in the eyes of our founder fathers and embrace the understanding that God does belong in the Pledge of Allegiance, and make it permanent. Let's give the gift of protection of this essential right to our children by doing what our founding fathers did when they stated in the Declaration "...appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare..." and add a new addition to our Declaration of Independence. That as Americans, we ask our congress to be guided by its moral strength, correctness and the integrity that our founding fathers had to insure that we retain a principle that is central to our Nation's Declaration of Independence, "One Nation Under God".

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.