Every Independence Day, we often find ourselves reflecting on the Declaration of Independence.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

These words not only celebrate our freedom from England in 1776, but also signify liberation from past oppressions.

For much of history, governments have been dominated by totalitarian rulers who view the populace as mere subjects. However, 1776 marked a pivotal shift, establishing the idea of governance as a necessary evil managed by the people.

On this day, as we reflect on our history, it’s easy to overlook a crucial part of the Declaration—its conclusion.

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

This passage reveals that our founders made profound sacrifices to safeguard freedom for those who would follow. Benjamin Franklin famously warned the signers, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

These men were prepared to risk everything, even their lives, so future generations could experience the beauty of freedom.

I think, in a way, many people today are still ready to make those sacrifices.

While we may not be battling an oppressive government right now, maintaining the freedoms won by our founders requires personal sacrifice. Freedom isn’t free; it demands that we remain vigilant against the forces of tyranny. We need to acknowledge that there are still powers at work trying to drag humanity back into oppression.

This reminder often comes to me when I watch “Saving Private Ryan,” which powerfully portrays the bravery of American soldiers during World War II. The film tells the story of a group tasked with locating a private named Ryan to bring him home after all his brothers have died in combat—he is the last remaining son to continue his family line.

Although they find Ryan, tragically, many of the soldiers perish in the quest. One of the most memorable moments is when Captain John Miller, gravely wounded, looks at Ryan and tells him something profound that he won’t forget. Years later, Ryan visits Miller’s grave and shares how he honored that sacrifice by striving to lead a good life and raise a family.

This is a challenge for all of us on Independence Day, akin to what Miller imparted to Ryan. We should strive to honor our freedom by living morally, raising our families right, offering genuine gratitude to our Creator, and making necessary sacrifices so our children can enjoy the freedom we cherish. May we all be committed to pledging our lives, our resources, and our sacred honor to preserve this great nation.

“This is what we aim for as long as Providence remains mysterious and is not observed by the shallow eyes of mankind, as long as the power and wisdom of man, resignation, and the strength of our reasons and religion can sustain us, and as long as it is a joyful compliance with God’s will.” – George Washington, Letter to Colonel Bassett, April 25, 1773

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for and protected, or it is lost.” – Ronald Reagan