Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor – knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
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 in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.
If somehow you could visit with all 56 of them today, what would you love to ask them? About what motivated them to sign when they knew that by signing they were putting their lives, their families and their fortunes at risk? About Leadership? About the Value of Freedom? About the cost of Freedom? What else would you ask?
And I am also wondering, what questions might they have for us today? Perhaps they would ask if their sacrifice made a difference? I imagine they would be very curious about what has happened in the 245 years since they signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776? I imagine they would be very intrigued by the friendship that now exists between Great Britain and the United States? What else do you think they might ask?
Happy 4th of July!
*Bob Tiede, Leading With Questions, July 2. 2021
As you celebrate the July 4th weekend, consider the cost of our freedoms and the price that our forefathers paid to provide it for us. It was gained by may sacrifices. And, can be lost if not valued and protected.
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