The men who established this nation gave up everything, risking their own lives – and those of their families. Their hope was that a grand experiment would be successful, and a form of self governance could uphold individual liberties, while at the same time maintaining civil order and including checks and balances on powers.

We’re an imperfect nation founded on their sacrifices, but we continue to be an example for the world. Like our founders, one of our greatest strengths is that though we are made up of people from all walks of life, we can accomplish so much more together, than we do apart.

Here is a letter that was sent to advice columnist Ann Landers:

“Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons who served in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants. Nine were farmers and plantation owners. All were men of means and well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family constantly. He served in the congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or solders looted the properties of Ellery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnet, Heyward, Rutledge and Middleton. At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British Gen. Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged Gen. Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. The home of Francis Lewis was destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from the bedside of his dying wife. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year, he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children gone. He died shortly thereafter, heartbroken. Morris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wide-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they 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.'”