What happened to the men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Every time I read the text below I’m amazed at their bravery and commitment. I doubt very much that I could have done what they did.

There are two great lines from movies that say it right when it comes to Freedom.

In Braveheart – William Wallace.
“All men die, but all men don’t really live…FREEDOM!”

In Saving Private Ryan-Private Ryan as an old man at the end  of the movie kneels at the gravesite of the character played by Tom Hanks, and thanks him for the life and freedom Hank’s efforts gave him. He asks his wife to reconfirm, in front of the grave, that he has lived up to his promise.  “Honey tell me that I have been a good man.  Tell me that I have lived a good life.  Tell me now so that he can hear it.”

Now read the following and think about what we owe our forefathers.

OF THE 56 SIGNERS….

-Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

-Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

-Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

-Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?

-Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

-Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

-Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

-Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

-At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

-Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

-John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from  exhaustion and a broken heart.

-Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more.

Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support Of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes,  and our sacred honor.”

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn’t fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn’t. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.

On July 4^th remember that freedom is never free! ….and also remember the brave men and women who literally “gave their all” for us…. you and me and our kids!

Got a bike? Here’s some great trails

If you’re a biker….the pedaling kind… here’s a group of L.A. best bike rides.

Not surprising Seal Beach is the end spot for one of the best paths in Southern California.

For the complete list and whole story go to: http://www.examiner.com/x-9524-LA-Cycling-Examiner

4th of July Weekend Events

It’s hard to believe that June is already over and 4th of July weekend is upon us.  If you’re not hitting the road over the holiday weekend and are looking for local events or Fireworks shows we’ve complied a quick guide to some of the 4th of July around Seal Beach and Southern California.

Long Beach, Queen Mary 4th of July Weekend Spectacular – The weekend’s activities start on Friday at 7pm with a dance party aboard the Queen Mary sponsored by STAR 98.7.     Saturday brings more parties, street performers and a fireworks show at 9:00 pm sharp.   To find out more about the events click here.

Huntington Beach, HB 4th of July Celebration –  Starting with the 3 Day Pier Festival on Friday at 10pm, Huntington Beach will feature a parade, a 5k run/walk, street vendors and a Fireworks show on Saturday at 9:00 pm.  For more information click here.

Los Alamitos Fireworks Spectacular – Held at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos this July 4th event will feature a food court, a vendor fair, a Kids Fun zone and a WWII reenactment.    No alcohol but Dogs, RVs and Fireworks are permitted.    For more information click here.

Anaheim Disneyland 4th of July Concert in the Sky – The Disneyland Resort, in Anaheim, California, has scheduled not one, not two, but four performances of its Disney’s Celebrate America: A 4th of July Concert in the Sky fireworks spectacular for 2009. The showings will take the place of Disneyland’s nightly Magical fireworks show, which has an exclusive summer run, for those nights.   The special 4th of July fireworks will be performed on July 2, 3, 4, and 5. Each of the shows will start at approximately 9:25pm.

Pasadena Rose Bowl Americafest – 83rd Annual 4th of July Celebration at the Rose Bowl — Americafest presented by XBOX 360 on Saturday, July 4, 2009.   Five of the nation’s best Drum Corps units performing their field shows and music. Fireworks show producers, famously known as the fireworks ambassadors to the world, Pyro Spectaculars by Souza will be taking care of the night’s spectacular show.  For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com.

Hollywood Bowl July 4th Spectacular  –  Featuring John Fogerty (of Creedence) and the LA Philharmonic the Hollywood Bowl presents their annual fireworks and music showcase.   For ticket information visit the HollywoodBowl.com.

Fourth of July Show at Cypress Navy Golf Course

BrokeDown Cadillac Fourth of July at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach

Free Show for Military Members and Family to Feature Two Sets and 9:00pm Fireworks; General Public Welcome

Fresh off a recent performance at the Sea Bee Days Festival at the Naval Base in Port Hueneme, CA Los Angeles-based country group BROKEDOWN CADILLAC will perform a special Fourth of July show at the Navy Golf Course in Cypress, CA as a Morale, Recreation and Welfare (MWR) event through the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach, California.

The band-fronted by singer CORRI ENGLISH and guitarist/songwriter RANDY DUNHAM-perform regularly around Los Angeles and were included in the last two issues of Country Weekly, including a review of their debut album Somewhere In America. “I have all kinds of family in the military, especially the Navy” says ENGLISH. “In fact, my sister Katie just got engaged to a great Navy guy herself, so we’re very excited about this show-it’s personal for us.”

BROKEDOWN CADILLAC made their national debut March 13 when they were seen performing in the #1 Walt Disney Pictures film Race To Witch Mountain in a honky-tonk bar scene (they also have five songs within the film and two on the digital soundtrack). The group-whose upbeat country rock blend is highlighted by CORRI’s forthright lead vocals and their shimmering harmonies-attended the 3/11 premiere of the film at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theatre and performed at the premiere party.

To hear BROKEDOWN CADILLAC music via Country Weekly’s “Listen Up” column, please click on here: http://www.countryweekly.com/freemusic and for the band’s MySpace go to www.myspace.com/brokedowncadillacband.

Date: Saturday, July 4 -Location: Navy Golf Course -5660 Orangewood Avenue -Cypress, CA 90630 – Time: Gates open at 4:00 PM – BrokeDown Cadillac perform two sets beginning at 5:00PM – Fireworks at 9:00 PM

Ticket Price: Free for military active duty, retirees and family members – General public: $4.00 per person or $15.00 per carload –

4 Days Only! $25.00 Restaurant Gift Certificates for $2.00!

If you are one of the many who has been cutting back on expenses such as dining out lately,  you finally have an excuse to get out of the house!  This Restaurants.com promo is a great reason to get together with friends or make your partner take you out on that date you’ve been asking for!

Restaurant.com is running a $25.00 gift certificate for $2.00 special through June 25th!   You can browse through hundreds of local restaurants including Long Beach Favorites, Tantulum, Delius, House of Madame Jo Jo’s, EJ’s and more!  Most restaurants require a minimum purchase of $35 in order to use the the $25 certificate.   To purchase the certificates you just need visit the Restaurant.com website, browse restaurants,  purchase and print.   Some people have reported having to use a discount code if so it’s DISH.   Check it out the offer expires soon!  Visit Restaurant.com

Even in bad times…here’s a good deal!

Every year, for the last 65 years, the Seal Beach Lions Club has had a fish fry to help the less fortunate in our community with proceeds going to benefit the sight and hearing impaired and other local community projects and charitable organizations.

Additionally, for the last 18 years, an automobile has been given away as well as exotic trips around the world  and gift certificates to local stores as well.  

The most important thing to know about this drawing is that only 500 tickets are sold.  Only 500!  That makes your chances of winning very, very good.

This year the auto is  a brand new 2009 Ford Escape (shown above) in cooperation with (and thanks too) Ken Grody Ford in Buena Park.  (866-604-7223)  The Escape is one of Ford’s most popular models and it is not a stripped down model.  Its fully equipped.

There also is a trip for two to Hawaii or the destination of  your choice ( $1000 travel voucher) and the trip was obtained thru Now Voyager Travel (714-846-24778)   Also a $500 gift certificate from South Coast Plaza.  Winners should know that taxes and license are not included.  You don’t have to be present to win but you do have  to be present to eat one of the Lions outstanding fish dinners on both Saturday July 18 and Sunday July 19.

Remember the drawing will be held at the Lions Fish Fry on July 19,  2009 at 4:30 p.m. at the Seal Beach Pier

Buy your ticket early because for the last 17 years the tickets have been sold out!

30th Annual Long Beach Blues Festival

Coming to downtown Long Beach on September 5 & 6. This is  a yearly fundraiser for Cal State Long Beach KKJZ FM 88.1.  That is a GREAT jazz and blues station if you are within range of its’ signal and this event keeps it on the air for twelve months.

The  venue is Rainbow Lagoon Park and the headline performers include  Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bobby Womack and the very unique voice and styling of Mavis Staples.  

This will be the 30th annual year for the this wonderful event.  It will also feature The Blind Boys of Alabama,  Funky Meters, Johnny Winter, Sonny Landreth, Betty Lavette, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Diunna Greenleaf, Andy Walo Trio and the Hill Country Review.

The Long Beach Blues Festival has become one of the top summer venues in Southern California. Tickets, we hear, are selling  said to be almost sold out.  You can go to Ticketmaster as well as World of String in Long Beach.  Additional info is available at KKJZ’s website www.jazzandblues.org.  Tickets are from about $55 to $90. (for both days)

For those who have never been there….this is an annual  “happening”

OC Fair Season Passes & Other Discounts

Now that summer is here and school is out (or almost out) for most it’s time to start planning your summer activity calendar! The Orange County Register just featured a story about the upcoming OC Fair.   For the first time this year the OC Fair is offering season passes to visitors who like to go multiple times over the 5 week period.  The pass, which is valid from opening day on July 10 to closing day on Aug. 9, will also allow for separate lines at fair gates, 10 percent off of reserved seating at the Action Sports Arena and two-for-one ticket purchases at certain Pacific Amphitheatre concerts.   Prices for the passes start at $15 for kids and $25 for adults which seems like a great deal! 

The entertainment line up this year is looking great!  The line up includes Kelly Clarkson, The Black Eyed Peas, Alan Jackson, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Anita Baker, Blondie & Pat Benetar, the B52’s, Hewey Lewis and the News, the Steve Miller Band, Whitesnake, Three Dog Night, Smokey Robinson and more!

For more information visit the OC Fair website.

Fuel-Cell Vehicles To Compete In Annual Road Rally

Today the California Air Resources Board announced the 2009 Hydrogen Road Tour, an annual road rally to demonstrate the advancements in fuel-cell technology. It starts May 26 in San Diego,and ends June 3 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Annual road rally will highlight advances in fuel-cell technology and show that Hydrogen powered vehicles are near consumer readiness.

Organized by the ARB, California Fuel Cell Partnership, National Hydrogen Association and US Fuel Cell Council, the tour will travel more than 1,700 miles and have 28 stops. The public will be invited to test drive the vehicles and experience first hand their range, performance and road readiness.

“Fuel cell technology is on the verge of becoming a practical alternative to burning gasoline,” said Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “This year’s road tour demonstrates how far the industry has come and how near we are to putting these cars in the public’s hands.”

Currently, 300 fuel-cell vehicles have been placed on California roads and manufacturers expect to increase that to 4,300 by 2014. Fuel cell technology is also being used to power transit buses and forklifts, and to produce electricity for industrial uses. Examples of these will be showcased at some of the tour’s stops.

California is a proponent of diversifying the fuels used topower transportation. As part of ARB’s 2006-2007 budget, the California legislature allotted $25 million for the purposes of encouraging the use of biofuels and high efficiency, low-emitting vehicle technologies. These funds were used to support projects that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by using alternative fuels.

In April 2009, ARB adopted a low carbon fuel standard fulfilling Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2007 executive order. The regulation is aimed at driving down greenhouse gas emissions which accounts for 40 percent of the state’s total emissions. To achieve this goal 20 percent of petroleum used in California cars will be replaced with clean alternatives, including electricity,biofuels, hydrogen and other options by 2020.

Memorial Day Civil War Reenactment At El Dorado Park

On May 30th and  31st California will have its largest display of Civil War battles ever at  Eldorado Park in Long Beach.  

El Dorado Park East will host a 2-day Civil War Reenactment from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The 400-acre park is located at 7550 E. Spring St and can be accessed by taking the 605 Southbound exit and going west or by taking Katella Avenue west until Katella turns into Spring St.

The event, developed by Gold Coast Festivals and Visions In Time Foundation will bring together Civil War reenactment groups from all over California who will spend the weekend recreating one of the most important periods in American History.

This will be the largest reenactment ever held in this area. Visitors will have a first hand look at the sights and sounds of battle as well as a chance at involvement in living history presentations in the camps.

Visitors can expect to see real live cannon fire, period costumes, historical figures, authentic battles, meet with the soldiers in their camps, attend demonstrations and more during the two-day festival.

Battles will be held twice daily at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. both days. Civil War living history tours will be held throughout the weekend and include demonstrations as well as displays.

Find out about California’s role in the Civil War and how close it came to supporting the Confederacy.

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