Key Corner DAR encourages residents to participate in Constitution Day observance

SPECIAL TO THE STATE GAZETTE

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution urges Americans to reflect on the United States Constitution during September’s annual observance in honor of this foundational document of national governance.

While the Declaration of Independence forged our national identity, the United States Constitution set forth the framework for the federal government that functions to this day and is the world’s oldest constitution still in active use. DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion, and celebration of Constitution Week.

The annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National Society.

“Independence Day is a beloved national holiday; Constitution Week is an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and protects the freedoms central to our American way of life,” shares Key Corner Chapter Regent Laura McCulloch.

“By fostering knowledge of, and appreciation for, the Constitution and the inalienable rights it affords to all Americans, DAR helps to keep alive the memory of the men and women who secured our nation’s foundational liberties.”

The DAR initiated the observance in 1955, when the service organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17–23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915.

The celebration’s goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to remind the public that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation for its way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the U.S. Constitution.

Locally, Dyersburg Mayor John Holden has signed a Proclamation designating September 17-23 Constitution Week. One of the keyways everyone in the county can participate is “Bells Across America and specifically Dyer County.” Key Corner Chapter has provided bells to schools to be rung at 1 p.m. Thursday, September 21 so that all the students can be part of the celebration.

“We encourage every citizen to also ring a bell. Set your phone alarm and pull up the bell ringing for 1 p.m., ring your church bell, ring the cow bells, ring the jingle bells,” urged McCulloch. “This is a tangible way to acknowledge the great living document of the Constitution, and it only takes a few minutes.”

In keeping with tradition, Key Corner will provide a Constitution Week speaker Wednesday, September 18, at 1:00 p.m., McIver’s Grant Public Library. Dyersburg resident, Matthew Stafford with speak on the Timeline of Events that led to the creation and adoption of our United States Constitution. As always, this forum will be free and open to the public.

The local DAR Chapter will also be providing Preamble bookmarks to students in grades 3 –8 as determined by school. In addition, Catherine Moore Barry, Mary Shirley McGuire, Martha Allison, Martha Washington, Betsy Ross or the daughter of Captain Daniel Caldwell, who died at Fort Ticonderoga, will be making appearances in many classrooms during the week.

Each character has a unique Revolutionary War story to tell as well as commentaries about the Constitution according to Constitution Week co-chair Carol McDowell. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this powerful document, which has enabled our democracy within a republic for more than two centuries.

We hope that all Americans will learn more about the Constitution and its immense impact on our nation,” McDowell said. One of the largest patriotic women’s organizations in the world, DAR has more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries.

DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant missions, visit www.dar.org or follow on Instagram at keycornernsdar.