Freedom came with sacrifice. This Fourth of July, remember we must maintain our democracy.

Independence Day marks the birth of an extraordinary nation. Almost 250 years ago, our Founders came together, overcoming their differences, to unite and pledge their lives to form a new type of country. In a world of monarchies, empires and despots their risk was to create a new unheard-of form of government: a democracy.

Power would be vested in the people, with freedoms unparalleled in the world. World leaders doubted the experiment would succeed. But it did, beyond even the Founders' wildest expectations. We cannot ever fail to appreciate the precious gift given us. This Fourth of July, we have so much to be grateful for: a government established for and by the people.

There have been unprecedented sacrifices made by so many across the decades to ensure this democracy continues. We have faced unprecedented crises. And we overcame them. Although the terrible Civil War tore the nation apart and threatened the Union, Lincoln eloquently spoke to the survival of the nation. Through the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln honored the soldiers who had fought and died on great American battlefields, “…we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation under God… and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

Hundreds of thousands died defending the Union. Slavery was ended though struggles of civil rights that continue to this day. We rose to every occasion and overcame the Great Depression, became the arsenal of democracy, to lead the free world in the defeat of Nazi Germany, ensuring freedom and democracy would prevail. In all these times, the people of the United States rose together to ensure our democracy would not fail. The Greatest Generation rallied together to these 20th century causes bearing immense sacrifice.

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Today, the Greatest Generation is rapidly fading from the scene. Barely 100,000 veterans of tens of millions of Americans who fought and experienced World War II survive. We must remember them and we must not forget what they fought for ― a nation and idea of democracy greater than themselves. Their legacy has been passed to us. We hold the torch of freedom now. We are called to meet our own challenge.

The gift of freedom we have came with immense courage and sacrifice. Preserving our precious gift of democracy is our responsibility. What will our generation’s legacy be?

We are threatened again today, not from powers outside our borders but forces within. Our political system is in dire straits. The Founders warned of the possible fatal power of political parties and politicians without moral compass. And an upcoming presidential election may reshape our democracy ― if we let it.

"We the people" are called upon to again defend our democracy, not with guns or violence, but with our voice and vote. This election is about character, integrity, rule of law and virtue ― the foundations of who we are and our democracy. One candidate, former President Donald Trump, has made it clear he embraces autocracy, does not respect the rule of law and is vindictive, threatens to weaponize the Department of Justice or supports possible violence to regain and hold onto power. This is not who we are as a people.

Make no mistake. This is a serious unprecedented threat to be taken seriously. Our democracy, but also stability of the free world is at stake. The Founders knew this democratic experiment would always be subject to threat from within. It is our duty and responsibility to keep. No one else’s.

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We have been given much. And to those that are given much, much is expected. From a colonial nation of 1.5 million citizens in 1776, we now number 330 million. We are without doubt the greatest superpower in the world and greatest economy. Despite all the social issues we wrestle with, we are the best form of democracy the world has ever known.

Celebrate the Fourth of July. Celebrate our great democracy. Celebrate those who came before and the freedoms we have been bestowed. Value them enough to keep them.

Take a moment to fall on your knees and pray with gratitude to a just and merciful God and for the democracy we have. We are a nation under God. We are a free democracy. We are the beacon of hope, of freedom in a troubled world. This Independence Day, do not forget what it means for all of us to be Americans. Celebrate who we are ― and our precious gift.

Phil G. Busey Sr. is founder and chairman of DRG and The Busey Group of Cos.