On this day in 1776, our Founding Fathers declared to the world “that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

The Founding Fathers declared that all men are created equal, and that government derived its power from the consent of the governed.  They declared that their descendants would never again be oppressed by the government as they took steps to create a government that embodies individual freedom and protects liberty.

Freedom is what has made the United States the best nation in the entire world.

Protecting that freedom, however, is never an easy task.  For 247 years, men and women have fought on battlefields to stand up against tyranny and protect our freedoms.  So as we celebrate our Independence Day, I encourage you to take a moment to remember and thank all those who have fought for that independence.  It can never be taken for granted.

Happy Independence Day and may God bless the USA!