Our Founding Fathers risked their lives, fortunes and sacred honor 250 years ago when they signed the Declaration of Independence and established the American republic, one nation, under God, indivisible. 

They fought the Revolutionary War against the most powerful military force in the world and, against great odds, prevailed. That victory ignited the flame of freedom that burns brightly today. We made a deliberate choice to become the home of the free and the land of the brave.

More than 80 years ago, that flame flickered early on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, when America was attacked at Pearl Harbor. That assault thrust the nation into the most destructive war in history, claiming more than 60 million lives worldwide. Again, America faced great odds. Our adversaries sought to extinguish the flame of freedom forever. Yet it burns today because we answered the call to defend it. We understood that freedom is a precious gift, worth living for and, when necessary, worth dying for.

Almost overnight, America became the arsenal of democracy. Factories roared to life. Families rationed. Communities mobilized. More than 16 million Americans served in uniform during World War II. Together with our allies, we secured victory and helped save the world from tyranny. That victory came at a high cost. More than 400,000 Americans lost their lives in the war, sacrificing all their tomorrows for our freedom. World War II reaffirmed that faith, courage, unity and dedication to liberty shape the character of the nation.

The unity of America during World War II was essential to survival. Citizens left farms, factories, schools and offices to serve a cause greater than themselves.

Those on the home front gave their full measure of devotion in support of the troops. We were not prepared for the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the price of unpreparedness was steep. We must never forget that lesson. President Franklin D. Roosevelt rallied the nation with his “Day of Infamy” address, forging resolve and unity at a moment of crisis and reminding us that leadership matters in times of peril.

The character of that era was rooted in enduring civic values. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms address articulated principles that became part of the American conscience: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Those ideals framed the war not simply as a military struggle but as a defense of democratic values worldwide.

The war also accelerated profound social change. Millions of women stepped into roles once closed to them. The distinguished service of minority Americans helped ignite momentum that would grow into the civil rights movement, reflected in efforts such as the Double V campaign. The G.I. Bill opened doors of education and opportunity for returning veterans. They came home, rolled up their sleeves, and built the strong and prosperous America we are privileged to enjoy today.

Beyond battlefield heroism and legislative reform, World War II demonstrated that civic responsibility must be lived. It is more than voting or paying taxes. It requires engagement in community life, strengthening our institutions, and placing the common good above personal interest. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, in its report Our Common Purpose, underscores that civic knowledge, public trust, and commitment to the rule of law are essential if democracy is to endure.

As we reflect on 250 years of American history, we are called to remember these lessons. In Washington, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial  hosted a three-day public gathering to reflect on the leadership, courage and civic responsibility that defined that generation and to consider how those qualities are needed today. This is not nostalgia. It is renewal and rededication to our founding principles.

Over two and a half centuries, our republic has endured revolution, civil war, global conflict, economic upheaval, and profound social change. In every era, freedom has depended not only on strong institutions but on citizens willing to serve something larger than themselves. The struggle against fascism forced Americans to examine what liberty and equality should mean at home. It reinforced the truth that democracy depends on hearts committed to freedom and hands willing to defend it.

If the semiquincentennial teaches us anything, it is that the legacy of past generations is a sacred inheritance. Democracy requires participation, renewal and recommitment. It is not a spectator sport. Each generation must choose whether to preserve and strengthen this sacred gift and pass it on.

As we commemorate 250 years of American independence, let us rededicate ourselves to our founding principles, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Let us live lives worthy of the service and sacrifice of so many, and especially those who never returned home. Freedom is not free. We have a sacred obligation to preserve, protect, defend and pass it on to future generations. We may well be, as Abraham Lincoln believed, the last best hope of earth.

Claude “Mick” Kicklighter is a former commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific, and serves on the board of directors of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.