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THE PATRIOTS INITIATIVE would like to wish you a Happy Independence Day! Starting back in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, until today, freedom has never been free. We honor all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom and we thank those who dedicate their lives to supporting these brave men and women.

Happy July 4th!

Looking back to July 4th, 1776 to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of our great nation, is a reminder of how far America has come in such a short amount of time. Just over 200 years ago, 56 men of the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to declare freedom from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, who later became our third president, drafted the document which can be found today at the National Archives in Washington D.C. Then consisting of only 13 colonies, the United States has since grown to 50 states and 16 territories.

It wasn’t until 1941 that former President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared July 4th, Independence Day, a national holiday. While the colonists celebrated their new found freedom with bands and bells, today, Americans often celebrate with fireworks and backyard barbecues. On average, each Fourth of July, 150 million hot dogs are consumed and 285 million pounds of fireworks are ignited in over 14,000 official fireworks displays across the nation.

While you’re celebrating Independence Day with lots of food and fun, don’t forget about those who are overseas protecting our freedom. TPI encourages you to make a donation this holiday to help support our troops. The Patriots Initiative has four donation funds: the Family Support Fund, Wounded and Fallen Fund, Warriors in Transition Fund, and the TPI Discretionary Fund. For more information about these funds visit TPI’s website or check out June’s blog post titled, “The Four Donation Funds of The Patriots Initiative”! All donations are welcome as even the smallest amount can make a big difference in the life of an active duty service member, veteran, or their family.

This Independence Day, we’re focusing on TPI’s Wounded and Fallen Fund in honor of those who have fought and given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. Donations to this particular TPI fund go toward supporting organizations like Wounded Warrior Homes, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, and Higher Ground Sun Valley.

If you know someone who is extra grateful for their freedom on this particular 4th of July, feel free to share this information with them so they can donate, too!

Help A Combat Veteran

While the Fourth of July is often spent relaxing with family, friends, food, and fireworks, for some military serviceman and women, veterans, and their families it can be a day filled with anxiety. According to a study done by NBC, one in five of the approximately 2.5 million veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The fireworks used to celebrate can sometimes be a trigger causing flashbacks and panic attacks. Some households will display signs reading “Combat Veteran lives here. Please be courteous with fireworks.” If you see a sign like this in or around your neighborhood, show your gratitude by heading to a public fireworks display instead of setting off your own.

Service dogs can also play an important part in combating PTSD. These dogs are specially trained to help in recognizing, indicating, and interpreting early signs of anxiety, panic attacks, and nightmares which allows the veteran time to break the cycle and regain emotional control. It takes 1-2 years to train a service dog, with many nonprofits covering the cost of the animal and training.

THE PATRIOTS INITIATIVE has accredited America’s Vet Dogs, Canine Companions for Independence, Freedom Dogs, Paws’itive Teams, Pets for Patriots, Shelter to Soldier, and Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs as some of the best service animal-focused nonprofits that help our military personnel and veterans through the special human-canine bond.

Pairing Miliatry Families with Shelter Animals

THE PATRIOTS INITIATIVE would like to announce the provisional DIRECTORY accreditation of The Animals for Armed Forces Foundation which provides free pet adoption events that pair shelter animals with the heroes of our armed forces. To date, The Animals for Armed Forces Foundation has sponsored 1,323 adoptions of military families and has donated over $186,000 to local animal shelters. To learn more about the great work of this organization please visit their website.

Donate by Shopping Online

If you want to support service-dog nonprofits helping our military, as well as the many other organizations dedicated to supporting our Armed Forces, you can donate to THE PATRIOTS INITIATIVE while shopping on Amazon Smile. Just add The Patriots Initiative as your charity of choice, and whenever you shop, Amazon will donate a percentage of your total purchases to TPI with no additional cost to you.

Let Freedom Ring! God Bless America.