COMMANDER BARBER'S 4TH OF JULY GREETING
Greetings Fellow Sons, AMVETS Family Members, and Friends,
Independence Day was declared by the Second Continental Congress on 2nd July 1776 at a meeting of the13 American Colonies of the Congress. It was declared that the 13 Colonies were no longer subject nor subordinate to the monarchy of Great Britain and were now united, free and independent states. The resolution of independence was voted on by congress on the 2nd July 1776. The resolution was proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia the preceding June, after voting in June, a committee of 5 was instated with Thomas Jefferson as its head and principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally signing it two days later, on July 4th1776.
A day earlier John Adams had written to his wife Abigale: “The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the Great Anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sport, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more”
Adams prediction was off by two days, from the onset America Celebrated Independence on July 4th. The Resolution of Independence was approved in closed session of Congress on July 2nd1776; Jefferson, Adams and Franklin plus John Hancock singed the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July 1776. The last line of the Declaration embodies the commitment of our Founders and is appropriate today. It reads: “We Mutually Pledge To Each Other Our Lives, Our Fortunes And Our Sacred Honor”.
AMVETS Family, albeit we have been Independent for some 243 years, our service men and women still to this day defend and fight for our right to be free. It is not only a God given right but one that we must still defend. Therefore, on this 4th of July while enjoying your independence, remember those that fought and died for your right to be Independent so you may cherish this day and pray for a safe return home for those in active service.
“Greater love than this no one has, that one lay down his life for his friends” John 15, 13.
Remember them, lest we forget.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”
Ken Barber
Commander
National Sons of AMVETS