Do you know why we celebrate Independence Day? On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States, however, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion “all Men are created equal,” is equally beloved by the American people. For some of us it’s been awhile since we sat in a history class, so here is a video to walk you back in time and give a reminder of the significance of our Fourth of July holiday…

Now, before you fire up your grills and settle into your July 4th festivities, we would like you to take a moment to appreciate the men and women in uniform who have fought for your freedom. Think of those who have come home wounded and scarred in many ways from war, those who may never have made it home, and those families who have also had to endure with courage. As you celebrate this Independence Day with your family and friends, we also encourage you to honor the special heroes who have bravely served our country – here are some ideas to consider:

Write a Thank-You

You (and you can involve your kids too) can take a few moments to write to a veteran and thank them for their service. Whether it’s your grandfather or someone you don’t know, a card of appreciation can mean so much. An easy way to find a military member is through the organization, A Million Thanks. They can pair you with a military member and the address to send a note.

Visit the Memorial of a Loved One

If your grandparents, relatives, or friends have served in the military but are no longer with us, you can honor their life and service with flowers or a U.S. flag at their gravesite or memorial. Whether they lost their life on the battlefield or long after returning home, they deserve to be remembered on this special day.

Honor Their Request

Remember this 4th of July holiday is not always pleasant for everyone. Soldiers who have returned with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may find the holiday noise and fireworks stressful. Military with PTSD is an organization providing yard signs to ask for your courtesy with fireworks in neighborhoods that include veterans suffering from PTSD.

Donate to a charity for veterans

There are so many wonderful charities that honor our veterans. Give your time or money to support the work of these excellent organizations. Make it a family event and share it with your children as a worthwhile learning experience. Find a charity in your community and find out how you can support them. Honor Flight Network is a charity dedicated to providing our veterans with honor and closure. Their goal is to transport American veterans to Washington, DC to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifice. Top priority is given to those senior heroes of World War II, as this aging generation is passing away, so there is little time left to express our gratitude to these brave men and women.

All of us at Splashlight are proud to honor our veterans with the dignity and respect that they deserve. We also want to wish you and your families and friends a very safe, relaxing and happy Fourth of July holiday weekend and God Bless America!