Happy Independence Day: Celebrating those who fought for our Freedom!

On Monday, we will celebrate America's birthday, the day the Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

But Independence Day is much more than just another holiday. Independence Day is

• A celebration of the hard work and the brilliant minds that devised a constitution that could stand the test of time.
• A time to remember the generations of men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom.
• A time to acknowledge and give thanks for the kind of life we have and for the opportunity to live here in America.

Even more, it's a time to reflect on what freedom means.

We know that freedom isn't free. Our freedom was secured by those who put their lives on the line defending the rights we hold dear. Without the courageous men and women who fought for the United States' independence, our country would not exist as it does today.

These heroes, the military and first responders who risk everything deserve a huge thank you.

THE HIDDEN COSTS OF FREEDOM

While a soldier or police officer who loses their life in the line of duty pays an obvious cost, everyone who takes on one of these roles sacrifices something. Whether it's time lost with family while they were deployed overseas or emotional scars caused by the things they've seen, it's not an easy job to take on.

They pay the price of freedom with things that can't be given back. That's why these people are heroes. They choose to fight for freedom, even when it means they must give up something important.

At Nuvision, we try our best to thank the heroes in our community every chance we get—we did it a few weeks ago with our Memorial Day Gas Giveaway, and this Friday, we will be thanking and celebrating our heroes with an Independence Day BBQ in Anchorage.

WE CAN'T REPAY THEM, BUT WE CAN THANK THEM

It could be a simple "thank you for your service" as you see somebody in uniform passing by in the grocery store. What you do doesn't matter as much as the meaning behind why you do it. When you thank or help a service member, you show them you care about what they do. That little bit of care can go a long way to encouraging them.

This weekend, when you're enjoying the summer weather and the company of friends and family, remember to take a moment to reflect on those who made American independence possible.