Tomorrow, we mark the 249th birthday of the United States of America.
The 4th of July holds a special place in the hearts of all Americans, but for those of us who have worn the uniform, it carries an even deeper meaning. It’s a day to celebrate our independence, our freedom, and the values we’ve took an oath to protect. It’s also a time to pause and reflect on the blessings we enjoy as a nation, blessings that so many have fought and sacrificed to preserve.
Growing up in Johnson City, NY, the 4th of July was all about the Field Days, four days filled with food, rides, games, parades, and culminating in a big fireworks show. Back then, it was all about the fun and the spectacle. But even as a kid, I could feel and see the sense of patriotism that filled the air, with every house on my block proudly flying the Stars and Stripes.
Now, looking back, I realize how those early celebrations planted the seeds of service, put the love of country in my heart, and inspired me to join the Navy. As I’ve grown older, and especially after my time in uniform, I’ve come to appreciate our history on a much deeper level. I have a profound respect for the courage and vision of our Founders, who risked everything to create this great nation.
The Declaration of Independence isn’t just an old document, it’s the foundation of our freedom. It was a bold statement by the 13 colonies, declaring their independence from British rule. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft, but it was shaped by the wisdom of Franklin, Adams, and others. When the Second Continental Congress adopted it on July 4, 1776, they knew they were signing more than a piece of paper, they were signing their own death warrants*️⃣ in the eyes of the British Crown.
In the months leading up to that historic day, our Founding Fathers had endured enough, unjust laws, taxation without representation, the forced quartering of troops, and a king who ruled with tyranny from across the ocean. After exhausting every other option, they took the unprecedented step of declaring independence. Fifty-six men pledged to each other, not just to their colonies or a flag, but to one another, their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. They risked everything for the idea that all men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They believed that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed, from “We the People.”
As a veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the cost of defending those ideals. I’ve served alongside men and women who embody the same courage and commitment our Founders showed. That’s why, every 4th of July, I take a moment to read the Declaration of Independence. The language may be old-fashioned, but the message is timeless.
I encourage you to do the same and share it with your family, your children, your grandchildren. Let them know why we celebrate, and why we should all be proud to be Americans. Freedom isn’t free, and it’s up to each generation to cherish and protect it.
Happy Independence Day! Be proud to be an American!
Brett Kulbis
National Veterans Coalition Director
*️⃣ What Happened to the Signers of the Declaration of
Independence?
