On July 4th, remember those who sacrificed everything

As we celebrate our 243^rd birthday as a country, we look back at the people who signed their names to our Declaration of Independence. Providence shows us the historical significance of that moment. But who were these 56 individuals? 

They came from all walks of colonial life: 24 of the signers were lawyers and jurists, 11 were merchants, nine were farmers or plantation owners and two were future presidents of the United States.

The represented all ages – the youngest signatory was 26, the eldest was 70.

They were united as we became united. It is reported that John Hancock commented that Congress must now “all hang together” to which Benjamin Franklin replied, “Yes, we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” They were definitely aware of the risks they took in that action.

What sacrifices did they make by open and direct defiance of one of the world’s most powerful countries of the day? You may be surprised:

• Five of the signers were captured by the British, tried as traitors and tortured before they died.
• Twelve of the signers had their homes ransacked and burned, losing all of their earthly possessions.
• Nine of the signers fought and died from wounds or hardships suffered in the Revolutionary War.
• One signer’s wife was jailed. She died in prison.
• Another signer was driven from his dying wife’s bedside and his 13 children were scattered. As his family was lost to him and his property laid to waste, he lived in caves and forests, dying weeks later from exhaustion.
• Two of the signers lost sons who served in the Revolutionary Army; two more had sons captured.
• Many died in poverty as a direct result of their signing that historic document.

“For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

These men were influential, wealthy, popular and educated. They had everything to lose and risked it all to plant the seeds of our democracy, affording us the way of life we often take for granted.

Many lost everything.Let us remember their sacrifice as we celebrate this 4^th of July.