If you’re doing business with an American organization, you will find that many of them will be closed on July 4th.
As an American organization, Red Dog Fabrication believes it’s important to acknowledge how Americans, and people from other countries, have benefited from the principles of democracy. We cannot fully appreciate why we take this day to celebrate without a moment of contemplation about the sacrifices and costs, because its no small thing!
The 4th of July is often marked with social gatherings and a paid day off. Some reading this post may not fully understand the history of this day, some believe it’s a time for fireworks and parties. While celebration is certainly appropriate, understanding the significance is equally important.
The period leading up to the American Revolution, actually started in 1763 after the English government amassed enormous debt due to the costs of raising, supplying, and funding an army for the French and Indian War.
Parliament expected Americans to shoulder this financial burden, levying several acts of taxation, which led to years of unrest and discord and by April 1775, the American Revolution began. Committees of correspondence and later the Continental Congress were formed to find solutions, but common ground was elusive. When fighting broke out in 1775, American revolutionaries determined that separation was the only means of obtaining liberty and justice.
The brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence did so with the knowledge that they were risking their lives, while this initially took place on July 4, 1776, most of the delegates didn't sign the document until August 2, 1776. Congress adopted celebration on July 4th in 1870 with it becoming a federal holiday in 1937.
So, what was the cost? 231,000 men served in the Continental Army.
25,534 American combatants lost their lives. Only 27% died in combat. The rest died due to disease, including 8,000 who died while prisoners of war and 10,000 in camp due to unsanitary conditions. Deaths by suicide or attempted suicide, is hard to measure because suicides in past wars were stigmatized so many went unreported. Awareness around PTSD didn’t emerge until World War I and II with higher rates of PTSD recognized as mental health issues among veterans with increased reporting of suicides, not to mention disabilities. Thinking of all who have served throughout history, the number is staggering.
We hope this post helps you appreciate the upcoming holiday with a greater sense of gratitude, that you think about our veterans and what it means to be an American, and that you treasure, protect, and defend our freedoms.
If you encounter a veteran, we hope you will join us in Thanking them, the calling and cost to serve is always higher than we fully know and it’s the entire family who is affected by the call to serve.
We sincerely wish you and yours, a wonderful 4th of July!
God Bless America!
