Independence Day is the one day of the year that America comes together to recognize the extraordinary success of a bold experiment in democracy. We celebrate an event that will forever remain in our memory, the birth of our great nation. On this date, 232 years ago, members of the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. In it, Thomas Jefferson wrote that "... all men are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Never before had a nation been born in such a manner.

The Declaration received its true test on the battlefields of the Revolutionary War. If those brave patriots had not been willing to fight for freedom, the Declaration of Independence would have been just another empty declaration. The same commitment continues today. In order to remain a free nation, in order to keep the rights we cherish so dearly, we must be willing to defend ourselves and protect our democracy.

America has lived in freedom for more than two centuries and now, more than ever, she stands as a symbol of democracy for the entire world. But that freedom has not come without pain and suffering. Remember that more than one million Americans have died in defense of the nation.

As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, recall the words of the Declaration of Independence as well as the sacrifice and selfless service of American patriots that have born out those words time after time. Their actions remind us that to continue living in freedom and to serve the cause of freedom throughout the world, we must be ready to pay a high price. In time of war, that price is the cost of life itself, the full measure of devotion to beliefs.

I wish you and your family a very happy and peaceful Fourth of July. As we commemorate the birth of our nation, we also pay tribute to the selfless service of American men and women in uniform, past and present.

The 122nd Infantry Regiment was recruited in Onondaga County during July and August of 1862. It was mustered into service on August 28, 1862 in Syracuse. It joined the Army of the Potomac and was assigned to General Shaler’s brigade, General Couch’s division, part of the Sixth Army Corps.

Late in the evening of July 1, 1863, while encamped near Manchester, Maryland, the 122nd received marching orders to proceed to a position near the small village of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. At 11:00 PM the 122nd was on the move. After a long forced march, the regiment reached the battlefield around 2:00 PM, July 2, 1863. They had covered about 42 miles in 15 hours.

On the morning of July 3, 1863, the 122nd was ordered to move to the right flank of Culp’s Hill. Some maintain that Culp’s Hill was but a secondary action of the Battle of Gettysburg. If Culp’s Hill fell to the Confederates, General Meade would have been forced to retreat and the road to Baltimore and Washington, DC would have been wide open. The 122nd held its position on Culp’s Hill during furious, sometimes hand-to-hand combat. The Confederates realized the importance of the position and persisted in their attempts to rout the 122nd. During the battle the 122nd lost 44 of its men, but held its ground. The unit on the 122nd’s flank was the 149th Infantry Regiment, also from Onondaga County. It is the only time during the Civil War that these two regiments fought side by side.

July 4 1817 Construction began on Erie Canal

July 11 1955 US Air Force Academy dedicated

July 12 1862 US Medal of Honor authorized

July 17 1801 US Navy blockaded Tripoli

July 21 1861 Battle of Bull Run

July 22 1943 Palermo captured by General Patton’s soldiers

July 26 1788 New York became the 11th State

July 27 1953 Korean War ended