“Freedom is not free,” is a quote attributed to many people, who are said to have used it in a number of different speeches, situations.

We felt the Fourth of July, our Independence Day, was the perfect opportunity to once again say, “freedom is not free.”

For an industry that is in existence only because the First Amendment provides for the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and so forth, it would be almost criminal for us not to celebrate our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.

The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

From this, the rest of our Constitution is built, but the strength of our Constitution is not on the paper it is written or the ink used to pen the powerful words. The strength comes from the men and women who spend their lives — and in millions of cases, sacrificed their lives — in the defense our Constitution, our freedoms.

There are certain dates on the calendar where we take time to honor our veterans, our servicemen and women and honor the lives lost defending our way of life. Today is such a date on the calendar.

But, it is our belief the calendar is filled with more than just three days dedicated to our veterans, our servicemen and women and our fallen heroes, rather it is filled with 365 days that we should always honor their service, their commitment and their sacrifice.

Today is set aside to celebrate our independence, not a day dedicated to show off the best rib recipe. Today is set aside to celebrate what has become the greatest nation in the history of the world, not find the best place to tube on the river. Today is set aside to honor our history and honor those who have made our country so great, not a day set aside for bottle rockets and firecrackers.

In the midst of your holiday, remember and honor the men and women, the patriots, who have made America so great and the celebrate the freedoms we as Americans so thankfully enjoy each and every year.