Since 1955 when the NSDAR first petitioned Congress to dedicate Sept. 17 -23 of each year to celebrate the Constitution, our organization has worked hard to make sure that our nation does not forget the amazing document that governs our country. The goal then, which has remained to this day is 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.
This year we were pleased to be able to bring back our Capitol Bell Ringing event in Nashville. Although the location was changed to the War Memorial Plaza Courtyard to accommodate ongoing construction on the Capitol grounds, the new location provided much needed cover from the rain. A memorial built in 1925 to honor our Tennesseans who had served in WWI, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and was a wonderful reminder of the Tennesseans that gave their lives in recent history to continue to uphold our constitutional way of life.
The Honorable Jennifer Smith, Judge for the Tennessee Division IV Criminal Court, Division for the 20th Judicial District. Before taking the bench she served as Associate Solicitor General in the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. Judge Smith also serves as an Intelligence Officer in the United State Navy Reserve and has twice deployed to conflict zones. During her law career she has argued three cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Attendees were treated to her take on the U.S. Constitution and were reminded of the importance of this document to our lives.
We were also joined by the SAR Color Guard, Members of the Watauga Fife and Drum Corp, C.A.R. State President Caleb Myers, C.A.R. Senior State President Melodie Daniels and local members of the Boys Scouts of America. The rain certainly didn’t dampen the celebratory nature of the day as members rang our bells to honor the Constitution and joined in singing together with Sarah Davison. If you haven’t taken a few minutes to read the Constitution this week, I would encourage you to take a few minutes today to do so. This document has given us a framework for a government that is lauded worldwide for the freedoms it provides and protects and this is the perfect week to sit down and be reminded of the liberty we have obtained with it as our guide.
In Service, Cecile
