As we stand on the cusp of America’s 249th Independence Day, I’m filled with a mix of pride and resolve that only this day can muster. On July 4, 2025, we don’t just celebrate a date; we honor a defiance—a moment when a ragtag band of colonists told the mightiest empire on Earth, “We’re done with your nonsense.” That spark of 1776, lit in Philadelphia’s sweltering summer, still burns in the heart of every American who cherishes liberty. Today, as I prep the grill, wave the Stars and Stripes, and gather with family under a sky soon to burst with fireworks, I’m reminded that our fight for freedom is as urgent now as it was then.

Two hundred forty-nine years ago, our Founders penned a document that changed the world. The Declaration of Independence wasn’t just a breakup letter to King George III; it was a radical stand for an idea: that governments exist only by the consent of the governed, and our rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—come from God, not man. Those men risked everything, pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. They weren’t perfect, but they were bold, and their vision gave birth to a nation unlike any other. As I scroll through social media today, I see that same boldness in Americans calling out overreach, defending their values, and refusing to bow to the latest cultural fad.

But let’s be real: liberty’s flame doesn’t burn without effort. I’ve spent years in uniform, from the deserts of the Middle East to the halls of the Pentagon, and I’ve seen what happens when freedom is taken for granted. Today, we face threats that would make our Founders spit their ale. Bureaucrats in D.C. churn out regulations faster than I can reload my AR-15. Politicians on both sides cozy up to power, forgetting who they serve. And don’t get me started on the cultural rot—schools teaching kids to hate their country, corporations preaching politics instead of selling products, and a media that’s more propaganda than press. I’ve been hammering these points on every information platform, and the response shows I’m not alone. Americans are waking up.

This Independence Day, we’ve got to do more than wave flags and eat hot dogs. We need to recommit to the principles that make America exceptional. That starts with understanding our history—not the airbrushed version, but the gritty, messy truth. Our Founders weren’t saints; they were rebels who built a system to check human nature’s worst impulses. The Constitution, with its checks and balances, is their gift to us, but it’s only as strong as our will to defend it. Every time we let a politician skirt the law or a bureaucrat trample our rights, we chip away at that foundation.

I’m a veteran who has had the privilege of commanding Americans in combat, so I and they know freedom isn’t free. It’s paid for in blood, sweat, and eternal vigilance. Right now, vigilance means staying engaged. Our country is still a battlefield of ideas, and I’m proud to be in the trenches with patriots who aren’t afraid to speak truth. Whether it’s exposing government waste, challenging woke nonsense, or defending the Second Amendment, every post, every conversation, keeps the pressure on. But it’s not enough to preach to the choir. We’ve got to reach the folks who’ve been lulled into complacency, who think liberty just happens. It doesn’t. It’s a choice, every single day.

This July 4th, I’m calling on every American to step up. Teach your kids what makes this country worth fighting for. Tell them about Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Normandy—and yes, the mistakes we’ve made along the way. Raise them to be proud, not ashamed of the red, white, and blue. Support leaders who respect the Constitution, not those who treat it like a suggestion. And don’t just vote—hold those leaders accountable. Write, call, show up. Make them feel the heat. If we don’t, the swamp will keep doing what it does best: growing.

I’m also thinking about our veterans and active-duty warriors. They’re the tip of the spear, and too often, we let them down when they come home. This Independence Day let’s commit to fixing that—better care, better support, and a country worthy of their sacrifice. And while we’re at it, let’s rebuild the American Dream for everyone. That means an economy where hard work pays off, not one rigged for the connected. It means communities where people look out for each other, not ones divided by race-baiters and grievance peddlers.

As I look ahead to the 250th anniversary next year, I’m optimistic—not because things are perfect, but because Americans are tough. We’ve faced worse than today’s challenges and come out stronger. The spirit of 1776 isn’t in a museum; it’s in us. It’s in the farmer who stands up at a town hall, the mom who fights for her kids’ education, the entrepreneur who bets on a dream. It’s in every one of us who refuses to let liberty slip away.

Tonight, as fireworks light up the sky, I’ll raise a glass to this incredible nation. I’ll thank God for the chance to live free, and I’ll recommit to keeping it that way. Join me. Fire up your grill, fly your flag, and let’s keep the fight alive. Here’s to 249 years of independence—and a future where America’s best days are still ahead.