Thank goodness a small group of patriots risked everything that they had at the time and proudly signed the Declaration of Independence.  Many of those patriots did lose everything they had worked so hard to create in the pursuit of freedom.  That pursuit of freedom is at the core of our American independence.  The ability to make choices and reap the rewards of those choices has a huge impact on all our lives.  Many of their critics said they would never succeed in their quest for Freedom. Those critics were soundly proven wrong.

 

On July 1, 1973 another decision regarding freedom of choice was made that many critics said would fail and never achieve success.  On that date the decision to move from a military that was built from drafted personnel to a military that was based solely on those that volunteered to serve their country was made.  In the aftermath of the long Vietnam War this was a monumental decision that is credited in transforming our military into what has become today.

 

 The freedom to choose to become a member of the military bears a close tie to the commitment of those who signed the Declaration of Independence.  When we are allowed to pursue our convictions as part of a common goal our chances for success dramatically improve.  Everyone who is a part of the military today is there because they want to be.  They have sworn the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic and to obey the orders of the Commander in Chief.  This common goal of serving our country in a chosen branch of the military and in a job of their choice again has proven the critics wrong again. 

 

Freedom is something that we have enjoyed for over 200 years and none of us will experience the sacrifice that the founders of our great country made so we can all enjoy the benefits of freedom.  We must honor their dream by always remembering that Freedom is not free!