Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, November 11th, we honor American patriots who have served our nation in the military. Did you know that several of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were veterans? See what you know about some of these earliest American heroes!

1. Name the Declaration signer that led troops as a Brigadier General in the Battle of Saratoga.


2. Which Declaration signer was captured in the siege of Savannah while serving in Georgia’s militia?


3. Name the Declaration signer who served as Major General in Delaware’s militia as well as president of that state.


4. Which three signers of the Declaration were captured during the Siege of Charleston while serving with the South Carolina militia?


5. Name the Declaration signer that served as General of the Virginia militia and partially paid for the formation of a troop of light cavalry.

Throughout our history, millions of Americans have chosen to serve their fellow citizens by entering the US military where they willingly gave their time and talents to protect our freedoms. Make Veterans Day special by thanking veterans for their service, and consider visiting veterans at a local nursing home (where many have been abandoned or have no family remaining). And, of course, remember to pray for our military members and their families!

 Discover more amazing stories of our Founding Fathers in the Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence book!

Listen to the inspiring stories of some modern heroes in Warrior Heroes: By Land, By Air, By Sea CD or MP3!

1. William Whipple. Throughout his time in Congress, he served in his state’s militia, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. In this capacity, Whipple was involved in the fighting at Saratoga against Gen. John Burgoyne.
2. George Walton. During the capture of Savannah in late 1778, Walton was wounded. He was then held prisoner by the British for nearly a year.
3. Caesar Rodney. Rodney served in his state's militia for several years at the beginning of the War for Independence and was also president of Delaware from 1778-1780.
4. Arthur Middleton, Thomas Heyward, Jr., and Edward Rutledge. These three South Carolina signers were each captured while defending their state during the Siege of Charleston (March-May 1780) and were held by the British for over a year.
5. Thomas Nelson, Jr. Nelson served in the militia of Virginia through much of the War for Independence. In 1778, he helped pay for and led a troop of light cavalry which was sent back by Congress after only a month.