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The 4th of July is quickly approaching, and many Americans are gearing up for a backyard barbeque with friends and family and a night sky filled with fireworks of all shapes, sizes, and colors.  But how many of us will really pause and reflect on the rich history of this treasured national holiday?

In 1776, the founding fathers of our great nation drafted the Declaration of Independence.  The original 13 colonies were tired of “taxation without representation” by the British; said another way, they were under British rule and paying taxes, yet were not given a voice in the very government to which they paid their taxes.  Thomas Jefferson drafted the document, and it was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

So, what exactly does it mean to “declare” something?  How did our founding fathers go from being under British rule in one moment and in the next, they were governing themselves?  To declare something means to make a “formal announcement of the beginning of a state or condition” according to the Oxford dictionary.  Some present-day declarations include marriage, divorce, war, and peace.  However, such declarations are not without action – the founding fathers made a declaration of independence from the British Crown then set about taking actions that were consistent with that declaration.  A declaration without conviction and action is merely a statement.

Our service members – both retired and currently serving – are continuously taking the actions consistent with keeping the Declaration of Independence alive for all of us.  They have fought – and continue to fight – for us all to maintain our “inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.  And beside many of our veterans are caregivers; the wives, husbands, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors who take on the role of caregiver for those veterans needing extra assistance with their activities of daily living.

So, as you light up a sparkler this 4^th of July, pause for a moment and give thanks to all the men and women who bravely fought for these Rights, those service members who currently wear the uniform, and the caregivers who give of their heart and soul daily to ensure our veterans are cared for properly.  Happy 4^th of July!

P.S. the Declaration of Independence was officially signed into law on August 2, 1776…doesn’t quite have the same ring as 4^th of July, does it.

Kie Copenhaver is a Certified Senior Advisor™ (CSA™), Gerontologist, and co-founder of Aging Well Partners. Kie has worked over 25 years in the healthcare and aging industries, advocating for patient’s rights and the ability to choose what’s best for them.  She has taught at Mesa Community College in the Health Information Technology department and currently gives talks at Oasis Lifelong Learning geared towards planning ahead and aging well.  When Kie isn’t working, you can find her doing yardwork and digging in her flower beds.  Find Kie at www.agingwellpartners.com