Independence Forever: 250 Years of American Freedom
America is celebrating a monumental achievement this year. And Chris’ new strike, Independence Forever, symbolizes the premise behind this grand adventure.
2026 "Independence Forever” Silver Proof Coin, by Chris Duane
Not only is America commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia but, more importantly, it is rejoicing over our country’s determination to sustain the independence it attained in 1776. That is truly a remarkable accomplishment as America is one of the oldest continuously operating forms of government on the planet.
This outcome is a testament to American men’s unwavering commitment to guarding our way of life including our constitutionally protected freedoms. Generations of American men have protected our traditions, values, and the Republic itself, over the last 250 years. Vigilance, which has on thousands of occasions, required our men to give up their own lives to retain America’s independence and its God-given rights, for the next generation of Americans.
This valiant effort began, most notably, with 21 year-old Nathan Hale. Hale was a graduate of Yale University, the prodigy of multiple generations of Protestant ministers and a captain in the Continental Army. When General George Washington needed someone to spy on the British activities in New York City, he was the only one to volunteer for the dangerous mission.
Unfortunately, he was recognized, condemned to death without a trial and was immediately executed on September 22, 1776. But, just before he was hanged, he famously said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
2026 “Independence Forever" Silver Proof Coin, by Chris Duane
America’s history is defined by that same selfless, heroic and determined devotion to God and country by her men. Men who have continued to value the premise of freedom and independence more than life itself.
Obviously, when signing their Declaration of Independence from the most powerful military juggernaut on earth, every one of our Founding Fathers knew they were placing themselves, and their families, at risk of death by signing that “treasonist” document.
But, that did not stop them from signing, what was in reality, their death warrant. Granted, none of the signers were killed in battle during the American Revolution, but many lost everything they owned as the British ransacked, burned and destroyed their homes and properties.
This personal ruination was endured by many of the men, including men of great wealth. They included New York signers Lewis Morris, 50, Francis Lewis, 63, and William Floyd, 41. New Jerseyans John Hart, 63, and Richard Stockton, 46, suffered the same fate, as did George Clymer, 38, from Pennsylvania. William Ellery, 48, of Newport Rhode Island had his house burnt to the ground and his land destroyed by the British as well. In the case of Virginian Thomas Nelson Jr., 42, he actually gave the order for American artillery to open fire on his own home after it had been confiscated by British General Charles Cornwallis and was to be used as his new headquarters. The home, and the property, were completely destroyed.
The Founding Fathers suffered great hardships, but thousands of regular Americans lost their homes as well and many more died in battle or from disease. 25,000 men succumbed to their wounds or died from smallpox, dysentery, typhus, pneumonia, typhoid fever or malaria during the conflict.
Although the number of deaths is disturbing, men gladly came to their country’s aid. And, as a result, the American Revolution produced thousands of military heroes, well beyond Nathan Hale. These were men, inspired by General George Washington’s leadership, who doggedly fought for their fledgling country’s independence. They battled their way to freedom through brutal cold, starvation and deprivation in order to win the war against England.
Some of those military heroes included Major General Joseph Warren, 34, who died during the Battle of Bunker Hill and Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, 37, who was killed while leading a midnight assault in a blizzard during the Battle of Quebec. Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 50, was also killed. He was a personal friend of Washington, had his horse shot out from under him, was then surrounded, bayoneted and beaten to death by British troops, who mistook him for Washington, during the Battle of Princeton.
The American Civil War, which was fought to sustain the young republic, produced many valiant military men as well. This time, the soldiers and sailors died to gain individual freedom, not just for themselves, but for others. These included Major General John F. Reynolds, 42, who was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg and Major General John Sedgewick, 50, who died during the Battle of Spotsylvania.
This sense of duty to God and country continues to this very day. America is never without brave young men to fight to preserve our independence, their rights and their freedoms. And, although the wars have become global as the threat to our American way of life spreads to the four corners of the globe, American men continue to rise-to- the-challenge, even unto death. These more recent heroes include World War II U.S. Marine John Basilone, 28, who received the Medal of Honor for his heroics at Guadalcanal and later died during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, 27, is also included on this list of heroes. He died in combat in Afghanistan, just as did Navy Seal Michael P. Murphy, 29. Murphy selflessly exposed himself to enemy gunfire in order to make a satellite call to get help for his team.
The word freedom and the word independence reflect many of the same high ideals. Chris’ new round, Independence Forever, takes these ideals to greater heights because we know that nothing about freedom comes free.
And so, American men must remain constantly vigilant in the face of world-wide tyranny. They must be willing to fight and die to protect the people and places they love. And they have yet to fail us in that mission.
Just as President Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.”
Chris’ new release, Independence Forever, is a talisman for the men who love this country and would gladly give up their lives to sustain this, Shining City on the Hill. And we as Americans are blessed to be the recipients of that glorious legacy.
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