The cost of 250 years of freedom ... and counting

Tomorrow, America will celebrate 250 years since declaring our independence from Great Britain. Let’s honor the day with fervor and patriotism especially for the men and women who sacrificed their own celebration.

This is not any ordinary Fourth of July and Michigan Capitol Confidential reflects on the ultimate sacrifices made so that we can enjoy the freedoms currently afforded for us.

As we listen no longer to the thunder of cannon fire, but witness the lights of remembrance and joy in the night sky during our celebration of Independence, it is important to remember what former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

We must call to remembrance and continue to glean from the stoic colonists who successfully stared down the most formidable military in the world in 1776.

Men and women who understood that sacrifice was not merely foregoing current creature comforts for a better future – but the risk of life and limb for the sake of a nation they might never live to enjoy.

Today, we will allow temporary internet outages and people not passing in the passing lane to provoke us to rage and ruin our day.

But between 1776 and 1783, men were so lacking in the basics that they left blood in the snow from lack of proper footwear. Yet, they soldiered on.

But men did not bear the burden of sacrifice alone. There were women – unsung heroes – who stepped up to do their part to fight.

While Abigail Adams is one of the most revered Revolutionary War era women in history class – Deborah Sampson should also be remembered for her bravery on the battlefield.

Sampson, in a time when women warriors were virtually unheard of, joined the patriot forces and became a spy. The granddaughter of pilgrims disguised herself as a man and scouted territory for General George Washington.

Washington, according to record, planned an attack against the British in the scouted land.

She, along with dozens of infantrymen, led a raid on a Tory home which ended in the capture of 15 men.

As we take a day to memorialize the birth of a nation, remember, not every battle is fought with the shedding of blood.

We must always stand in the halls of power to protect against the tyranny of government and protect what they died for so that our children and grandchildren do not have to pay the same sacrifice.