Happy Birthday USA!

[kirk]

A happy independence day to all.

[Bluerauder]

A happy independence day to all.

Happy 4th of July to All !!

Keep 'em Flying !!

[Bob Mathis]

Happy 4th to all and have a great day. Remember we are still the land of the free!! Even if some time's it does not feel that way.

[chief455]

[Ms. Denmark]

Happy Birthday USA!
Land of the free and home of the brave...
Have a great 4th of July,all!

[fastblackmerc]

Happy Birthday All!!!

Many, many THANKS to all who have sacrificed to keep us FREE!!!!!!!

To all who don't like it here....... please leave.

[Caliber]

Happy Freedom day to all

Best Country Ever!!!

[cat in the hat]

[Bigdogjim]

God Bless the USA.

[88LTDCV351]

Let's wave our U.S. flags proudly. Seems like I see more and more Chinese, Philipines, Mexico, India, Vietnamese etc. bumper stickers, rearview mirror flags, and mini flags in cupholders on desks in the offices here everyday in California. We need more U.S. flags flying around folks.

[MyBlackBeasts]

MAYBE---ON THE 4TH---WE COULD STOP FOR A MINUTE OR TWO AND SEND OUR THANKS TO THESE BRAVE MEN WHO GAVE US THIS WONDERFUL DOCUMENT, IT TOOK A LOT OF GUTS AND SELFLESSNESS TO SIGN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 4th of July!!!

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men
who signed the Declaration of Independence? Their story. . .

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,
and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;
another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or
hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants.

Nine were farmers and large plantation owners;
men of means, well educated.

But they signed the Declaration of Independence
knowing full well that the penalty would be death if
they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and
trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the
British Navy. He sold his home and properties to
pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British
that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.
He served in the Congress without pay, and his family
was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,
and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,
Walton , Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that
the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson
home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,
and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.
The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.
Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill
were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests
and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his
children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and
silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many
people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism
is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July means more than beer,
picnics, and baseball games.

[MGDriver]

I know I'm late to the party but I hope everyone enjoyed a fantastic Independence Day.