Although our nation will celebrate its birth in July of this year, its story of independence begins several years prior. Throughout the times beginning in about 1773 the flames for freedom were being felt in the American colonies.

True patriots to the cause for such feeling had already reached intolerance for the crown of England. Dissatisfaction for the interruption of life here was growing at an increased rate and that fire was fueled by the antics of the Sons of Liberty who took to rebellious actions like the Boston Tea Party. Prior catalysts such as the tabloids of Thomas Payne and Paul Revere, swayed many loyalists against the crown.The Boston Massacre helped bring many more to the side of the rebels and inspired the king to add more troops to try and quell the beginnings of such secession.

On Lexington Green and on a small wooden bridge in the quiet hamlet of Concord, Mass., muskets were raised in defiance, and the revolutionary war had begun. The rag tag Minutemen of the American militia gave the revolution a louder voice making it clear that we wanted independence from England. This occurred in 1775.

The war continued for several years after our declaration had been brought to England. In that time our history identified many brave patriots, all with unique stories and some with tragic results, like Nathan Hale who acted as a spy and was discovered and hung for his actions. Before his death, he coined one of the most poignant quotes of the times that is revered as truly American to this day when he said, “It is a great sorrow that I have but one life to give for my country.” Other strong language was made during these times that resound with the American spirit such as “Give me liberty or give me death!” from Patrick Henry. William Prescott who elaborated during the Battle of Bunker Hill saying, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” as the British approached his entrenched position.

I have spoken about other heroes of the revolution in previous commentary like Ethan Allen who led The Green Mountain Boys to victory when he stormed and captured the fort at Ticonderoga. And Gen. George Washington’s attack on Trenton decimating the Hessian forces there. Washington showed his cunning and savvy military prowess during this battle and when he led the escape from Manhattan with the entire continental army.

To some it seemed that the Revolutionary War encompassed only a few of the known colonies when in fact it spread to almost every one of the 13 with fierce fighting in the Carolinas and Virginia. I have told the story before of Francis Marrion, who harassed the British with soldiers made from farmers, children, and slaves. His militia was comprised of men from every age. His tactics drew the redcoats far away from cities and ports to fight in the bogs and swamps of the south. There are many more of these patriots to the cause found in the history books about this great nation’s creation. We know the names of Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, but aid also came from afar like Lafayette, Kosciusko and Pawelski. They came to America yearning for the same type of liberty.

We now sit upon the cusp of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Our founding fathers took quill in hand to draft the documents identifying our freedom. It spells out in a direct way just why we should be free. It shows that every human being on earth shares the same freedom granted by no king or dictator. It says that what we have was given by our creator.

Within a few years after this document called the Declaration of Independence was read, more parchment would come identifying a government for the people and of the people created by the people.

This would be the greatest experiment. A set of rules for the government to follow, not the people. A Bill of Rights would explain just how the government should serve those people and it would expand year after year, detailing just what the declaration had said about each individual citizen. It also was created to check and balance the government to prevent such tyranny as the British rule over the colonies had allowed.

The American Legion prides itself on supporting our constitution. We believe in the patriotism that must be felt to insure our nation’s survival. Just as the Minutemen of the 1700s we are also citizen soldiers. We realize such survival can only be had by keeping a strong sense of Americanism, and teaching that to future generations.

We support the men and women who guard our nation and we provide for them and their families while they are in uniform as well as after their service. This has been our mission since 1919, with reflection to all things American going back into our country’s history. With that acknowledgement we rejoice upon our earned freedom that was born of spilled blood and heavy sacrifice for the past 250 years.

To signify such spirit, we ask all of you to join us in symbolizing that spirit by making a pledge to complete something 250 times. It can be as simple or as arduous as you choose, but please make the effort. And as our monumental birthday arrives on July 4, 2026, join us in the most extravagant celebration!

As we say in the American Legion, “For God and Country!” Let your voice be heard, and your actions be true.

Kirk L. Miller is past commander of the Chautauqua County American Legion, 8th District Department of New York.