The grievances of 1776 mirror those of 2026 | Letter
Many people, myself included, probably haven’t read the Declaration of Independence since American history class in high school.
On this, the 250th anniversary of its adoption, it is well worth a reread. That all men are created equal and are endowed with certain inalienable rights — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — and that governments are formed by the consent of the people to secure these rights, are fundamental precepts upon which the Declaration is premised.
Reflecting on the many grievances against King George III, which the signers enumerated in very specific terms, I cannot escape the realization that there is a stark similarity to what this nation is confronting today, 250 years later. Many of those grievances are as real today as they were then.
Having spent 34 of my 88 years preparing for and serving in our military, I am proud to have played a small part in preserving the security of our citizenry to enjoy their rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
But I am upset by certain realities that threaten achievement of the full realization of those rights. At the same time, I am confident that the resilience of our nation will prevail, that the pursuit of the common good will overcome the threats against it, and that the legacy of the signers of the Declaration, who pledged their lives and fortunes to the cause of freedom, will be sustained.
Retired Col. **George Griggs, USMC
**Kennebunk
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Tagged: featured letter, letter to the editor
