We Hold These Truths!

Ross Berry
Jul 4
7 min read

When in the Course of Human Events…

‘Karen and Jay share thoughts – celebrating Independence Day – and giving thanks to all those who have helped preserve our freedom and shape our great destiny’

July 4th – a time for celebration and remembrance. We celebrate and honor our Founding Fathers – for their courage and their wisdom. Their courage in taking the defiant step of declaring their independence from the most powerful nation on earth. Their wisdom in articulating our founding principles – enshrined in the famous passage:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

July 4th is a day to reflect on the immense sacrifices that were made so that these words could endure. The patriots who signed the Declaration knew they were risking everything—their fortunes, their families, and their very lives. Yet they pressed on, driven by an unshakable belief in the cause of freedom. We remember their bravery not as a distant legend but as a living example—reminding us that liberty must be defended with resolve and upheld with integrity.

We also celebrate the generations who came after them—those who built a nation from fragile beginnings, guided by the vision of a more perfect union. Farmers, tradesmen, soldiers, and statesmen all played their part in shaping a republic rooted in individual rights and shared purpose. Though the road was never easy, each trial strengthened our national character and deepened our commitment to the principles set forth in 1776.

And so, on this Independence Day, we gather with family and friends to mark the blessings of freedom. Fireworks will light the sky in tribute to our enduring spirit. Flags will wave in every town and city, a symbol of unity and gratitude. As we celebrate, we also remember that the promise of America is a charge handed down to us—to cherish our liberties, to strive for justice, and to ensure that the truths declared so boldly remain self-evident for generations to come.

One Flag, Many Stories

When I was growing up in Newport, New Hampshire, the Fourth of July parade was a really big deal. In fact, there’s something timeless about a small-town Fourth of July parade. Kids with painted faces wave tiny flags, high school bands march down Main Street, and neighbors line the sidewalks with folding chairs and lemonade in hand. These celebrations remind us that our nation’s founding truths still bind us together: we are many stories, united under one flag.

In Lindsborg, Kansas, for instance - also known as "Little Sweden" - residents keep tradition alive through their annual Midsummer’s Festival. They celebrate heritage while welcoming newcomers, showing that old and new stories strengthen the fabric of America.

In Swedesburg, Iowa, the restored Swedesburg Heritage Museum serves as a living link to the past, hosting events that bring together generations and cultures. Community celebrations there honor immigrants, veterans, and neighbors alike.

These local gatherings are more than parties and certainly are not exclusive to the Swedes; they’re living testaments to our shared commitment to liberty and equality. They remind us that patriotism is about connection - generations and neighbors looking out for one another.

When towns revive old festivals, restore town squares, or host naturalization ceremonies, they prove that community spirit can bridge divides and spark hope. Under the flag, our differences don’t weaken us - they strengthen us. Each story adds a new thread to America’s fabric, keeping the promise alive: we hold these truths to be self-evident, and we live them out together.

Modern Liberty in Action

Freedom isn’t just a word etched on monuments or printed in textbooks - it’s alive in the choices we make and the stands we take every day. All across America, ordinary people are stepping up to protect their neighbors’ rights, speak truth to power, and remind us that liberty belongs to everyone, not just a privileged few. From small-town school boards to city council meetings, this quiet commitment to self-determination keeps our founding ideals fresh and relevant.

Look at Floyd, Virginia, where locals created Floyd Community Radio WFLOY to tell their own stories when big media overlooked them. This grassroots station broadcasts music, local news, and community voices - a real example of freedom of speech in action.

Freedom of the press is alive in Kansas, too. The Emporia Gazette, family-owned for more than a century, proves that local reporting still matters. When big outlets cut back, towns like Emporia remind us that liberty thrives when citizens stay informed and engaged.

Even small acts matter. In Llano County, Texas, librarians made headlines for keeping books available when others sought to ban them (BBC). Every volunteer-run publication, local radio station, and town hall meeting shows that America’s freedoms grow stronger when defended by everyday people.

Liberty is not something we inherit by default. It must be claimed, nurtured, and protected. When we do, we stand together under the truth our founders declared: that we are free people, equal in dignity and possibility.

Land of Second Chances

Not every road is smooth, but in America, there’s always another fork, another chance to start over. The promise that you can rebuild - no matter how many times you’ve stumbled - runs deep in our national character. From families weathering layoffs to small towns reinventing themselves after industry closures, our communities prove every day that resilience and renewal are just as American as liberty and equality.

Braddock, Pennsylvania, is one example. Once a steel town in decline, Braddock found new hope through Braddock Farms, which turned abandoned lots into productive urban farms. These farms feed families, create jobs, and give residents fresh purpose.

In Kentucky, organizations are transforming old coal regions by building high-tech indoor farms, creating good jobs and new futures where hope once seemed lost. Projects like these prove that second chances aren’t theoretical - they’re real and growing.

Nationally, nearly 20% of small businesses are started by people who’ve faced bankruptcy or hardship before. Programs like Project RELO help veterans transition to new careers, showing that setbacks can spark comebacks.

When we honor the idea of second chances, we keep faith with our founding truth: that all people have inherent worth and potential. By lifting each other up, we make sure opportunity never closes its doors - it swings wider, inviting everyone in.

The Equal Opportunity Shop

Across America, a quiet revolution is unfolding on Main Streets big and small. It’s happening inside old storefronts that have found new life as coffee shops, bakeries, barber shops, and boutiques. The faces behind the counters are as diverse as the communities they serve - immigrants, young families, veterans, and retirees all staking their claim in the promise that hard work and hope can still open doors. For them, the American Dream is more than an idea; it’s a practice, built one customer, one conversation, and one sale at a time.

Take, for example, the story of Doylestown Ace Hardware in Pennsylvania. When the national chain planned to shut down, local residents stepped up. They formed a cooperative, saved the store, and today it remains a thriving hub where local teens work, neighbors gather, and Main Street stays alive. It’s a real testament to what happens when community pride fuels local business.

This is the spirit that makes America unique. Here, opportunity isn’t reserved for a chosen few. It lives in the hands of those willing to take a risk, sweat through the slow days, and believe that tomorrow can be better than today. Small businesses remain the backbone of our economy, making up 99% of all U.S. businesses and employing nearly half the workforce. When these entrepreneurs succeed, they lift entire communities with them.

In places like Decorah, Iowa, the local co-op does more than sell groceries - it hosts workshops, showcases local producers, and keeps dollars in town. These shops become the heartbeat of civic life, supporting families, schools, and future generations.

Profile in Sunshine: Everett Sands & Lendistry

This week we are delighted to highlight an entrepreneur who is making a difference in small towns across America, Everett Sands.

When Sands founded Lendistry, he didn’t just launch another financial company - he set out to rewrite the rules for who gets a fair shot at success. As CEO of this minority-led small business lender, Sands has opened doors for thousands of entrepreneurs overlooked by traditional banks. His work echoes the belief that America’s promise is for everyone.

Headquartered in California but serving communities nationwide, Lendistry has funded more than $9 billion in loans and grants to small businesses and nonprofits that keep Main Street alive. From mom-and-pop shops in rural towns to minority-owned startups in cities, Sands’ mission is clear: help people build wealth, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.

Sands knew the obstacles firsthand. Before founding Lendistry, he spent years in banking and saw how old systems failed those who needed help most. He built Lendistry differently - blending modern technology with community education and financial literacy. The result is more than funding; it’s empowerment.

When COVID-19 threatened Main Street, Sands and his team stepped in to deliver millions in emergency relief, saving countless local businesses. That same spirit continues today as Lendistry expands access to capital for underserved communities.

In Everett Sands’ vision, the founding truth that all men are created equal becomes a mission for the future. By putting capital and trust back into the hands of working Americans, he reminds us that liberty and equality flourish when everyone gets to play their part. Learn more at www.lendistry.com.