In order to further improve the lines of communication and to respond to the concerns between the National VA Council and you our members, I have established a National VA Council Briefing. This NVAC Briefing will bring you the latest news and developments within DVA and provide you with the current status of issues this Council is currently addressing. I believe that this NVAC Briefing will greatly enhance the way in which we communicate and the way in which we share new information, keeping you better informed.
Alma L. Lee National VA Council, President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ th In This Briefing: Tribute to July 4 and Our Nation’s Veterans
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On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.
Conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. In a June 7 session in the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."
THE REASON WE CELEBRATE
The Declaration of Independence is the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty. Jefferson's words capture the convictions of the American people's hearts and souls.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.”
THOMAS JEFFERSON, Declaration of Independence
FUN FACTS: 4TH OF JULY BY THE NUMBERS
On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation.
THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
The colonies that stretched from present-day Maine to Georgia were distinctly English in character although they had been settled by Scots, Welsh, Irish, Dutch, Swedes, Finns, Africans, French, Germans, and Swiss, as well as English.
"There are some who've forgotten why we have a military. It's not to promote war, it's to be prepared for peace." President Ronald Reagan
So, in no small way, July 4th has a special meaning for us all. Amid the hot dogs, fireworks, and the pool, we should stop and keep in our thoughts those brave veterans entrusted to our care, and rededicate ourselves to their service.
On behalf of the entire National Veterans Affairs Council, I would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy 4th of July, and look forward to your continued world class service to those most deserving citizens, our nation’s veterans