We often think of the Fourth of July as a static holiday. A long time ago, a bunch of old white men signed a piece of paper, and now we get a day off from work. Many never paused to consider that the day is more than just the commemoration of a few signatures being applied to a “break-up” letter that changed the course of human history.

Modern observations of the July 4th holiday involve fireworks, grilling hamburgers, trips to the lake, and a general day of enjoyment for most. There are always car and mattress sales that are advertised in the newspaper and on television. Rarely during that day do we stop to remember the reason we celebrate.

A quick review of the lives of the 56 men who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor, to approve this document of rights proves the risk and the bravery they possessed. I recently added another name (Button Gwinnett) to the long list of the graves of the Signers of the Declaration that I have visited. There are more than two dozen left to go, but I will complete my challenge. Each time I visit their final resting place, I am reminded that these men firmly believed in the individual right of mankind and understood that the Declaration of Independence would continue long after their deaths as a living document.

It continues to live today as the foundation of the basic liberties and equality based on rights that we hold as self-evident. Jefferson warned us that the blood of patriots would be occasionally required to keep the liberty tree alive and growing. Breathitt County men and women have bled and suffered for the principles identified in the Declaration of Independence, gained with the blood of thousands during the Revolution, and later enshrined in the United States Constitution.

On July 4, 1969, Breathitt County blood was shed in defense of those sacred documents. Twenty-five-year-old soldier Floyd Watts, of River Caney, was killed on the 193rd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration. The Jackson Times ran the story of his death on page 1 of the July 24, 1969 edition after Army officials delivered the sad news to his mother and his body was returned to Breathitt County.         

Sp. 4F. Watts Vietnam victim on July 4th

Army Specialist Floyd Watts, 25, of Watts, Route 1, was killed July the 4th near the DMZ in Vietnam while serving with a tank battalion.

Watts was the son of Mrs. Mazzie Mullins Watts and the late Harrison Watts.  He had been stationed in Vietnam about three months.

He is also survived by three brothers, Tom and Ronald, of Watts, and Harlan Watts of Hazard; and by seven sisters: Mrs. Pearlie R. Roberts, Altro, Mrs. Carlee Combs and Mrs. Alice White, both of Watts; Mrs. Lula Grims, and Mrs. Orpie Mansfield, both of Austin, Indiana, Mrs. Cora Mullins, of Arizona; and Mrs. Virgie Mullins, of Chicago, Illinois.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, July 14 at the Pilgrim Rest in Watts with David Watts, Ader McDaniel, and Eugene Mullins officiating.

Burial with full military rites was in the Mullins Cemetery, River Caney, with the Watts Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The Jackson Times, July 24, 1969, page 1, Column 8

Let us celebrate the freedom that the Declaration of Independence paved the way for but let us never forget that rights are won and maintained at a high cost. Freedom will always survive and flourish when good men and women step forward to defend what is right and when they are willing to sacrifice all so that we can grill a few hamburgers and enjoy the blessings of liberty.

Remember Floyd Watts and all those who have served to win and preserve freedom at home and around the world.

I hope you all have a very Happy Fourth of July.

© 2023 Stephen D. Bowling