What is Worth Fighting For?

On this date in 1776, at the statehouse in Philadelphia (now Independence Hall), the Continental Congress announced the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  It is important to understand what this meant for those who had signed the document.  The English government of the American colonies looked upon the Declaration as an act of treason which was punishable by death.  In fact, not only would the signers be put to death were they captured by the English, but their possessions would have been forfeited to the crown, a move which would leave their surviving families impoverished.  Those who signed put their entire future, their very existence on the line.  They had a cause in which they believed whole heartedly.  In the Civil War, millions of Americans again put their lives at risk to fight for a cause in which they believed.  Over six hundred thousand died.  Were there to be the same proportionate number of deaths in America today, that would come to roughly six million people killed.  Seventy years ago, 150,000 American men stormed ashore at the beaches of Normandy (along with British, Canadian and other allied forces).  Thousands died in the opening effort to win back the European continent from the Nazis.  In each case, these people took the ultimate stance in support of their beliefs; they risked their lives.

So what is it today for which Americans would take such a risk?  If you do nothing else to celebrate the Fourth today, ask yourself that question.  I have my answer, but I will leave you to your own.  It is well worth pondering.