250 years ago, on July 4, 1776, a group of ordinary men made an extraordinary decision to risk everything on an idea. They put it on paper and signed their names. In doing so, they pledged their lives and fortunes. Many paid that price.

What followed was not just one war, but generations of sacrifice. For 250 years, brave men and women have stepped forward to defend what was first written down in 1776. Some came home. Many did not. And even today, there are those who continue to answer the call to serve, sacrifice, and protect the freedoms we often take for granted.

That is what the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding means to Choate. It’s more than a date; it represents an unbroken line of courage and commitment that stretches from our founding to the present day. It lives in the stories of countless veterans, including members of our own Choate family like our two Veterans ERG co-chairs, David Haggerty and Bill Duncan. Two of our very own combat veterans who put it all on the line.

Recognizing our country’s 250th anniversary is not political; it’s a bipartisan celebration of our nation’s founding and the hope, freedom, and responsibility we share. It’s about the individuals who served, and continue to serve, to make this possible for all of us.

We are privileged to build in a country that gives us the freedom to create, to own, and to grow. We do not take that lightly. And we will not overlook those who made it possible.

So we will mark this moment with purpose.

Our employee-owners have raised American Flags across every one of our offices and jobsites. Not as decoration, but as a visible acknowledgment of where we stand today and those who made it possible. We also held our fifth annual Operation Gratitude event, where Choate employee-owners across every office came together to hear from veteran guest speakers, pack care packages, and write letters of appreciation to veterans in our communities. Over four years, we’ve sent hundreds of letters and care packages, each one a simple but meaningful reminder that their service is seen and never forgotten.

Our employee-owners have also received commemorative items to recognize our nation’s 250th anniversary, including custom helmet stickers for the field and custom t-shirts for them and their families to wear with pride.

Thank you to our employee-owners for being the kind who make moments like this possible.

Thank you for the pride our employee-owners take in what we build, and the impact they help create.

And most importantly, thank you for joining in to honor those who came before us and those who continue to serve today.