"And to this Declaration we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor".
Our kids' favorite movie is National Treasure. It's a tremendous film containing action, humor, and lots of history. It's proof that Hollywood can still put out good stuff without spewing truckloads of sex, violence, or special effects.
There is a great scene where Nicholas Cage is in the National Archives, reading a few lines from the original Declaration of Independence. After doing so he pauses reflectively, and them comments to his companion, "you know - people don't talk like that anymore".
Take a minute or two this weekend and read the document that Jefferson authored and so many signed. And then give some thought to the fact that when they pledged their lives, forutnes, and sacred honor, they valued most what they mentioned last - their honor. These were not casual words glibly penned for dramatization. Many of those men would forfeit their lives at the end of a British rope for the audacity of their actions.
Nicholas Cage was right - we don't talk like that anymore.
Maybe remembering those who did will help us to.
Happy Fourth of July to everyone.
