AMERICA - 4th of July What does the Fourth of July mean to you? Parades? Fire- works? A day off from School or Work? Unfortunately, many of you know very little about the true meaning of the birthday of our country. On July 4th, 1776, John Hancock, who was president of the Continental Congress, and Charles Thomsom, who was the Secretary, signed the Declaration of Independence, a document that stated we were no longer willing to be ruled by the British. "The Price They Paid" from the National Federation of National Business Have you ever wondered what happened to those who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tor- tured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from their wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well edu- cated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers, or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walten, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge, and Middleton. continued next message......