Reflecting on Independence Day

By U.S. Rep. Tom Cole
R-Oklahoma

Last Thursday, on July 4th, we celebrated our nation’s independence and freedom. It was the 248th anniversary of when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the United States of America officially became an independent nation, and no longer a colony of England.

However, this independence did not come without a cost. Our freedom was fought for through a long and gory war when a group of volunteer patriots risked their own lives for what is now our country. This idea of selfless individuals willingly making enormous sacrifices and putting their own lives on the line to serve our great nation is a notion that continues to define our country today, as it is because of their sacrifices that we are able to live our lives with a sense of peace, safety, and freedom. After all, America is the land of the free because it is the home of the brave.

Yet, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not the end of the organization of our nation. A form of government still needed to be established. This was not done until eleven years later when the Constitution was signed. This created our government as we know it today – a democratic republic. A type of government where the people have the right to choose, and the powers of the federal government are limited. This is one of the principles that, in my opinion, makes our nation so great.

Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as well as the Bill of Rights, became the foundation for America. These documents have stood the test of time and helped our Founding Fathers create the greatest country the world has ever known.

Now, every year, on the 4th of July, we, as proud Americans, celebrate our country’s founding and the principles that those documents have instilled in us. So, as we reflect on the July 4th holiday we celebrated last week, may we remember the sacrifices that have been made to secure our nation, thank the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who continue to make these sacrifices every day, and toast to the United States of America, our independence, and the ideals that define us as a nation.

Hope everyone had a great and safe Independence Day.

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