On July 4th, Independence Day, we celebrate the birth of our nation and the core values of what it means to be American.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the 2nd Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. Its words have stood the test of time as an ideal for which to continually strive and protect. (Read more about Independence Day)
“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.” (Preamble to Declaration of Independence)
On this day we celebrate our freedom and honor our unique heritage as Americans. We are a nation of patriotism, diversity, freedom, and faith.
MIAs & Independence Day
We celebrate our freedom on July 4th, and we also humbly acknowledge all the men and women who protect the freedom we enjoy.
There are more than 80,000 American MIAs lost from World War II forward. In the beginning, we thought our mission — bringing MIAs home for their recognition, their family’s closure, and for a grateful nation — was the final mission.
What we learned over time is that our MIAs, even now, continue to serve us. Coming home is their final mission.
What we thought was their last act of service, sacrificing their lives in defense of the US, was the prelude to an even greater mission decades after the war ended. When our POW/MIA service members return home, they come home to a grateful nation.
MIAs: July 4th & Legacy of Freedom
On Independence Day and every day, our MIAs serve as ethereal reminders of who we are as Americans and what our country stands for. They remind us together we can overcome vast, almost insurmountable challenges.
Americans unite to welcome our MIAs home. We crowd the streets, rain or shine, wave flags, feel lumps in our throats, and try to hold back tears. We feel hope, unity, gratitude, and love.
They remind us that Americans of every color and creed fought and sacrificed for a better future they would not live to enjoy. Our MIAs remind us that hundreds of thousands of people died for peace, freedom, and justice.
They silently point to our responsibility to carry that torch forward, learn from the past, and spare our children from making sacrifices that have already been made.
Our returning MIAs are emissaries of peace, kinship, and commitment. Hailing from the past, they intersect the present and change the trajectory of the future.
We here at Project Recover wish you and yours a Happy July 4th and salute all those who make it possible.
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