WASHINGTON — On July 4, 246 years ago, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, but it would take about a month before any one of the delegates actually signed their name. Not everyone’s home assembly was on board with the vote. In fact, there were many in the colonies that still had feelings for the crown and didn’t want to leave the familiar harbor of the British Empire.
For a myriad of reasons, these naysayers were resistant to change and would not go along with their fellow country men and women on what they felt was a radical, dangerous and ill-advised journey. This new form of government was headed into uncharted territory. Nevertheless, the sails of patriotism were hoisted and filled, and the ship called the United States of America had left port. It’s hard to fight against a vessel that is already underway.
The Founding Fathers like General George Washington would helm the country through eight more years of the storm and raging sea that was the American Revolution. It would take faith, courage, dedication, selfless sacrifice and perseverance before they would finally make it to clear skies and still waters. The hope of freedom sustained them and would eventually deliver the American people to an endless ocean of promise for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for them and future generations to strive for.
This Independence Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) reminds every American to remember how we got here, that the journey isn’t over, and that we are all in this boat together.
It’s your birthday, America. Go ahead and celebrate it.