On this day in 1776, John Hancock, as the presiding officer of the Contentment Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence.  At that moment a nation came into existence, based not on a geographical location, based not on a common language, based not on a common ethnicity, but rather on a common belief, a belief in freedom.  While deployed many years ago, I met a gentleman who had been raised in eastern Europe.  He proudly proclaimed that he was an American.  Seeing the look of surprise on my fact, he elaborated, "Anyone who believes in freedom is an American, you have the great privilege of living there."

As we flip our burgers etc., remember the great privilege we have.