And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
United States Declaration of Independence
This is the last sentence, the very last words in the Declaration of Independence, the last words before the founding fathers’ signatures. This group of imperfect men risked everything for our independence. If the revolution had failed, they would have been hanged at best, but punishment for treason against the English king included being drawn and quartered. Their lives were very much at risk and they knew it. Nine died due to the war, while five were captured by the British, tortured and then died.
As to their fortunes, twelve had their homes ransacked and burned, eight had their homes looted, others were hunted by the British. A number who lived through the war died penniless.
But their honor they upheld—that’s how important it was to them.
In America, far too many of today’s leaders see honor as just a word. They unashamedly display their lack of honor on a daily basis.
Many of us have more faith in the words of Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy than the words of half the members of Congress and justices of the Supreme Court.
It is both sad and terrifying.
sfnowak 