Posted on: Saturday, July 2, 2005

Founders paid price of freedom

By Rev. Dr. Roy Gaton

As we celebrate Independence Day, we should think about the price of freedom.

In the midst of celebrations and activities, sometimes it's easy to take for granted the sacrifice it took for us to live today in a free and independent America.

What happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had sons captured. Nine fought and died from wounds or hardship of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their honor.

What kind of men were they? Some 24 were lawyers and jurists; 11 were merchants; nine were farmers and plantation owners — men of means and well-educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that if captured, the penalty would be death.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the sea 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 Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of many others.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, who died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion. Others suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians but soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

As we today enjoy ourselves and partake of the liberties and freedom that are part of who we are and where we live, never forget what it took some in the past for us to have what we have today.

The Rev. Dr. Roy Gaton, who serves as director of spiritual life and pastoral care at Castle Medical Center, lives with his wife and two children in Kailua.

Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.