The July 4th holiday is coming up this weekend. It is time to think about fireworks and backyard barbeques, parades and gathering of family.

We honor the founding of our country at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia 234 years ago.

It’s hard to believe that the bicentennial was more than three decades ago.

One of the most interesting facts about the signing of the Declaration is that many of the signers did not expect to survive their action. They knew it could be an act of sacrifice, of “putting their head in the noose.”

It is not an accident that the Declaration’s last sentence is “and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

They knew that standing up for freedom and the rights of their fellow Americans put everything on the line.

They knew what many of us often forget: freedom isn’t free. There is sacrifice and risk to standing up for principals and a free people.

This is why the signers and everyone who fought for the independence of the United States are so revered. It is why the term founding fathers (or as notable historian Joseph J. Ellis called them, founding brothers) is a hallowed phrase, and celebrated each year at this time.

As we honor the founders, we must also honor those who today are protecting the freedoms we hold so dear. On this Independence Day, let us remember those Alabamians who are in uniform defending our great country.

Right now there are hundreds of our family members, friends and neighbors serving overseas in service to our country. They are in harm’s way in Afghanistan and Iraq.

They are deployed all over the globe helping the war effort. They are working to see that those who would destroy our freedom and way of life are on the defensive.

Alabama has more of its sons and daughters joining the military than most states. It is an honorable and noble thing to join the regular military.

Many of our young people join the Army and Marines, Navy and Air Force, and many stay in beyond their first enlistment. It is a great career, a means to go to college, and a way to serve in a noble cause.

Our state honors and understands the importance of our military, and it is one of the reasons so many of our young enlist.

Alabama also has more than most becoming citizen soldiers, joining the Alabama National Guard. Our state Guard units are some of the best in the nation, and they are often some of the first called when our country needs them for the fight or in times of crisis.

Right now there are hundreds of our fellow Alabamians deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our state has seen more of its Guard deployed in the wars of this decade than just a handful of states.

We see the deployment ceremonies on what seems like a weekly basis. We see the yellow ribbons on trees and on cars. We see the tearful reunion scenes as we welcome back the units from the mountains of Asia and the deserts of the Middle East.

We also see the news reports and the solemn ceremonies of those Alabamians who paid the ultimate price for freedom.

There have been more than a hundred sons and daughters of Alabama killed in the line of duty since 2003, fighting in defense of their country.

It is important to pray for the families of these fallen heroes. They understand better than anyone how high the price of freedom can be.

On this July 4th holiday, amidst the celebrations and good food, it is right and important to take time to remember the sacrifice and actions that our fellow Alabamians are making today in points around the globe, and the continued sacrifice of their loved ones right here at home.

God bless them, and God bless the United States of America.

Johnny Mack Morrow is a state representative for Franklin County. His column appears each Wednesday.