As we mark 249 years of freedom, Mission Roll Call reflects on the veterans, families, and communities who continue the fight for independence every day. 

As the nation gathers for barbecues, fireworks, and patriotic celebrations, July 4 marks a checkpoint on a journey nearly two and a half centuries long. This year, we celebrate 249 years of American independence, just one year shy of the nation’s 250th anniversary. But freedom, as every veteran knows, isn’t just something we inherited—it’s something we continue to fight for, defend, and rebuild. 

At Mission Roll Call, we see independence not only as a founding principle, but as a shared responsibility—one carried most directly by our veterans and military families. 

From the Minutemen of 1776 to the service members of today, American freedom has always depended on ordinary people rising to meet extraordinary moments. But service doesn’t end with enlistment. It doesn’t even end with a homecoming.  

For many veterans, the real battle begins after the uniform comes off—fighting for physical healing, mental well-being, stable housing, meaningful work, and a sense of purpose that comes from being part of something bigger. 

That’s why we say: independence is a team effort. 

It’s the veteran learning to navigate a new career after service.
It’s the caregiver who helps a loved one manage post-traumatic stress.
It’s the community that installs a ramp, offers a job, or shows up to listen.
It’s the network of support—both seen and unseen—that helps veterans reclaim their own freedom after fighting for ours. 

These efforts are especially important as we look ahead to America’s 250th year. Milestones like this invite us to reflect not only on how far we’ve come, but on where we’re going, and who we may be leaving behind. 

Today, more than 18 million veterans live in the United States, and nearly half are not connected to the VA or any veteran service organization. Many are navigating complex challenges alone. Rural veterans face geographic isolation and gaps in care. Others struggle with the invisible wounds of war. And too many are still fighting to be seen and heard, long after their last deployment. 

At Mission Roll Call, we’re working to change that. Through nationwide polling, community outreach, veteran storytelling, and policy advocacy, we bring veteran voices directly to the people and places where change can happen. And that starts with you. 

This Independence Day, let’s do more than celebrate freedom. Let’s honor it by supporting those who make it possible. Lend your voice through our open polls and surveys so we can continue to enact positive change and support those who need it most. 

The fight for freedom didn’t end in 1776. It continues every day—across dinner tables, hospital rooms, town halls, and Capitol Hill. And together, we can carry it forward.