Chickamauga Chapter DAR Constitution Week display at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Chapter Regent Gayle Burrows with Constitution Week Chair and Chapter First Vice Regent Trish Mullins at the Constitution Week display. Members of John Sevier Chapter Sons of the American Revolution dressed in Colonial attire for the Ringing of the Bells Ceremony on Sept. 17. Also present were Tennessee State Senator Todd Gardenhire, State Representative Greg Martin and Hamilton County Commissioner David Sharpe.
The Chickamauga Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution along with John Sevier Chapter Sons of the American Revolution held a Bell Ringing Ceremony on the grounds of the Medal of Honor Heritage Center on Saturday, Sept. 17 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.
Chickamauga Chapter Regent Gayle Burrows and the Chapter’s Constitution Week Chair Trish Mullins participated in the ceremony. Tennessee State Senator Todd Gardenhire read a Proclamation signed by Members of the Tennessee State Legislature.
Hamilton County Commissioner David Sharpe lead the traditional Ringing of Bells, harkening back to the colonial tradition of bellringing to gather citizens at once for important news.
Bells called the people of Philadelphia to hear the Declaration of Independence read publicly for the first time on July 4, 1776. Eleven years later, on Sept. 17, 1787, bells called people to hear the first public reading of the new Constitution which outlined the organization of the republic and the rule of law that would hold the new country together.
State Representative Greg Martin gave remarks recognizing Medal of Honor recipients and the American Soldier who takes an oath to protect and defend the rights guaranteed to the citizens of the country by the U.S. Constitution.
Serving as Chickamauga Chapter DAR’s Constitution Week Chair, Mrs. Mullins led efforts to educate citizens during the week by installing a large display at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Another installation was on display at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga for their Constitution Week Lecture. Displays were also presented in a community church and neighborhood association meeting venue. A Constitution minute was given during a Quilts of Valor Ceremony and an Eagle Scout Ceremony.
In total, Chickamauga Chapter DAR distributed 450 pocket Constitutions, 500 flags, 600 Preamble bookmarks, 40 Citizenship Flyers and 150 Constitution Week Coloring pages through their work with 27 public and private local schools.