Celebrating Independence Day 2023!

Flags of Valor, CEO, Neil Howell, joins Karen and Jay – as they highlight the Spirit of ’76 and America’s enduring commitment to freedom as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day 2023.

The love for freedom is universal – and timeless. On July 4th, 1776, nearly 250 years ago, a courageous group of colonists took the first bold step - embarking on the greatest journey toward freedom in all of human history. Pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Today, that spirit still lives on – in our many small towns and communities and deep in the hearts of Americans across our great nation.

When we look back on it, there are certain moments throughout human history whose impact almost seems to transcend time. A few come to mind for me immediately, moments like the end of the American Civil War, the attack on Pearl Harbor, or the fall of the Berlin Wall are each critical junctures in history that have generally affected the entire world in some capacity.

What differentiates the 4th of July from other notable moments in history, however, is the spirit of that moment and how the actions taken by our Founding Fathers seem to truly live on each and every day here in the United States and in other parts of the world. While we may at times take the principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the importance of that moment for granted now, when it was signed on July 4th, 1776, nothing of the sort had ever been done in human history, and the implications are still felt around the world to this day. Not only would it usher in unprecedented human freedom and liberty in our newly liberated nation, but it would galvanize others around the world for centuries, even to this day, living under oppression and tyranny to rethink their own systems of governance and demand a democratic system in its place.

Please make sure to celebrate the birth of our nation in the coming week – with family and friends. While there undoubtedly will be hot dogs, barbecues, and outings of all sorts, please also take a moment to reflect on the courage and vision displayed by the American patriots on July 4th, 1776 – and reflect with gratitude on the freedom that we enjoy today. We wish a Happy and Joyous Independence Day to you and your family!

Read The Report

New Hampshire – Leading in the Fight for Independence

Honoring and ‘Reliving’ the American Revolution

Positive Profile of the Week: Samuel Wilson – the Real Life ‘Uncle Sam’

This week we are delighted to highlight the life of a Granite Stater from years past – Samuel Wilson of Mason, New Hampshire – also more famously known as ‘Uncle Sam’ – the inspiration for what later became our national caricature or nickname ‘Uncle Sam.’

As the young United States of America sought to establish its identity, it searched for symbols that would help do so. In 1812, a political cartoonist by the name of Thomas Nast immortalized the figure of Uncle Sam in his illustrations. Nast depicted Uncle Sam as a tall and imposing figure, clad in red, white, and blue, with a star-spangled top hat. This iconic representation of Uncle Sam quickly became ingrained in American culture and its national identity.

The story of how this happened is fascinating. Samuel Wilson who had fought in the Revolution went on to run a meat packing business – and later became the meat inspector for the United States army during the War of 1812. His inspection stamp – printed on the packaged meat – read ‘US’ for United States – but became more commonly referred to as standing for the name ‘Uncle Sam.’ Interestingly, Nast’s depiction of the Uncle Sam character looked quite similar to the real-life Samuel Wilson.

Samuel's influence and the nickname "Uncle Sam" were widely known and celebrated in New Hampshire, becoming an emblem of the state's commitment to American ideals.

To this day, New Hampshire proudly embraces its tie to Uncle Sam. The state's residents honor Samuel's legacy through various commemorations and events, particularly during patriotic holidays like Independence Day. Uncle Sam has become an enduring symbol of the state's rich history and its unwavering dedication to the principles that define the United States. In fact, to commemorate his impact, the United States Congress adopted a resolution in September 1961, stating: “Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson …as the progenitor of America's National symbol of Uncle Sam."

We are honored to highlight Samuel Wilson as our ‘Profile of the Week’ and to share this interesting vignette as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day – yet another birthday for ‘Uncle Sam.’

Quote of the Week

"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."

-Thomas Jefferson

Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us

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