Editor's note: The following was a letter written to the Airmen of the United States Air Force by USAF Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne.
On July 4, 1776, fifty-six men signed a document that established the foundation for a new Nation where "all men are created equal" with "certain unalienable rights." It was a major milestone not just for the revoluntionary colonies but also for mankind.
Yet the Declaration of Independence alone did not produce freedom; Americans would have to fight for seven long years to break the "political bands" which connecteed them to the British crown.
Tens of thousands of Americans died during the war. This established in our Nation's infancy the concepts that freedom is not free, and whatever the price, it is worth paying.
Subsequently, each time our Nation and the ideals upon which it is founded have been attacked or threatened, American fighting men and women have responded to the call to protect and defend them against freedom's enemies.
Just as Minutemen of the Revolutionary War were ready to respond at a moment's notice, today our Airmen continually provide Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power to ensure our Nation's security.
While the Minutemen's muskets have been replaced by the technologically advanced weapons systems of our Air Force, what has not changed in 231 years is our greatest asymmetric advantage: the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of our Airmen and their fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.
Our Nation's Joint Force is now engaged in a global war against violent extremism, a philosophy that is diametrically opposed to the convictions on which our Founding Fathers based our Nation.
More than 34,000 Airmen are deployed around the world fighting this Global War on Terror; nearly 180,000 Airmen daily serve our Nation's Combatant Commanders; and all 683,000 Airmen in our Total Force give the Air Force an unprecedented ability to detect, deter, dissuade, and defeat our Nation's enemies.
We join the rest of the Nation in thanking you all for your service and sacrifice, without which we would not have these capabilities.
Wherever you are on our Nation's 231st birthday, have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and take pride in knowing that you are a member of the finest Air Force the world has ever known!
Your service provides the sword and shield that guard our Nation, its interests, and ideals throughout the world. On this Independence Day be proud to be an American Airman – a warrior who has answered our Nation's call to Fly, Fight, and Win.
Happy Independence Day!
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