Patriotic Activities
September 17, 1787, is a crucial date in American history, marking the date the United States Constitution was signed by its framers. Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17 and what better way to celebrate than to participate in Bells Across America at 3:00 pm CST, with one minute of simultaneous bell ringing across the land, followed by reciting the Preamble to the Constitution!
Constitution Week (September 17-23) is an exciting time to encourage others to learn more about the Constitution and to celebrate the freedoms it gave us!
Ways to Celebrate Constitution Week
- Encourage others to participate in Constitution Day Bells Across America.
- Make a Constitution display for your local library, schools, and other public places.
- Have a Constitution trivia contest.
- Adopt a classroom and provide a lesson plan for the students to learn about the founding of our Nation, particularly about our founding documents. You can provide teachers with resources and displays that they may share with their classrooms.
- Schedule and present a US Constitution program at a school, library, Scout, or chapter meeting.
- Request Constitution proclamations from city and county governments and receive them at their local meetings.
- Provide copies of the US Constitution at local public events.
- Study the Constitution; read about or take an online course to understand the history behind the need for, and the writing of, the Constitution.
The Flag of the United States of America symbolizes the values of the United States: freedom, resilience, and unity. Just as our stars and stripes shine as a beacon of hope and democracy, our legacy is illuminated by the sacrifices, achievements, and ideals passed down through generations as we also honor our patriots’ perseverance. Every wave of the flag reminds us to honor the past, embrace the present, and inspire the future, ensuring that the light of our shared heritage never fades.
Ways to Celebrate The Flag
- Display US Flags at community patriotic events, public libraries, and schools.
- Distribute flags, flag pins, and Flag Codes, at public events.
- Recognize community businesses that display the US Flag honorably and correctly.
- Present a flag program to schools, civic organizations, and youth groups.
- Honor citizens like veterans with a flag flown over the US or State Capital.
Support for Veterans
DAR works to serve America’s veterans and provides a tangible way for members and others to say “thank you” by acknowledging and recognizing veterans’ service, sacrifice, and commitment to the preservation of our nation’s freedom. Of special importance is the recognition of and appreciation for women veterans’ service. Daughters find various ways to honor, remember, assist, and thank our veterans.
- Help the Library of Congress Preserve Veterans’ History – interview as
many veterans as possible each year. Public Law 106-380 calls upon the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to collect and preserve audio/video oral histories, letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and home
movies of America’s war veterans and those who served in support of them. - Support VA Hospitals, Clinics, State Veterans Homes, and Fisher House.
- Women Veterans – Special emphasis is essential as there are specific needs for Women Veterans. This is the fastest growing veteran population experiencing homelessness and suicide. Contact local facilities and programs to identify specific needs for these women.
- Honor Flights and Bus Tours for Veterans – provide monetary donations to
sponsor a Veteran to tour the war memorials and monuments in our nation’s capital. Programs in Tennessee include both air and bus tours for Veterans depending on the location in the State. - Make donations to any nursing facility that cares for Veterans and/or their families; the Tennessee State Veteran Homes; or Fisher House.
- Write Thank You Cards for veterans who participate in Honor Air Flights leaving the envelope open.
- Provide donations to homeless shelters supporting veterans.
- Volunteer at food banks or shelters serving food or helping with the major needs of veterans. Provide special items for women veterans.