Independence day. God bless America.

[Punisher84]

Happy Independence Day to all freedom loving Americans!

[Punisher84]

Here's a video I suggest everyone watch as well. It's really awesome. About 7 minutes, but well worth it.

[ame]

[/ame]

[Bigiron]

Amen! Thank you to all the veterans who gave us this great Country.

[Guest bkelm18]

[Guest Centennial]

Yes, God bless America!

[G27]

I got this from another forum, and while some of the facts presented aren't accurate according to snopes, I think it's a good reminder for those of us celebrating our country's independence tomorrow.

To me it doesn't matter if some of this stuff is inaccurate - I think it's good for us to reflect on the spirit of this message and remember how good we it have thanks to those brave men 232 years ago.

THE 4TH OF JULY

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;

another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

Snopes article can be found here: http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp

[Guest mtsusean]

[Guest c.a.s.]

I'm going to spend tomorrow in my BDUs and with some fireworks, with my family. God, Vishnu, Allah, Raijin, Fujin, Buddha, Shiva, and all other deities, BLESS AMERICA!

[Guest bkelm18]

She may not be perfect, and some people may be trying their damnedest to put her in shackles, but I'll go to my dying breath to keep this country the best damn country on Earth. Bless ya, America.

[Punisher84]

Found this video. Know you'll love it. HOORAH! HOOAH! GIGGITY GIGGITY GO USA!

[ame]

[/ame]

[G27]

She may not be perfect, and some people may be trying their damnedest to put her in shackles, but I'll go to my dying breath to keep this country the best damn country on Earth. Bless ya, America.

AMEN!

[Guest db99wj]

:usa:

[fury2neon]

[dralarms]

Yes,

God bless this great nation and help her to return to her once proud heritage.

I probally won't get to do the fireworks thing. I'm going to be working or driving most of the day.

[R1100R]

[waynesan]

Great video Punisher84.

[TripleDigitRide]

We are blessed in the USA

Ooops! Wrong thread.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!!

Edited July 4, 2008 by TripleDigitRide

[enfield]

Happy 232nd Birthday, Uncle Sam!!