Posted on 09/18/2006 5:50:41 PM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Locals celebrated the U.S. Constitution’s 219th birthday on Sunday with patriotic music, ringing bells and saluting the flag.
The Tombstone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored the program, “Bells Across America,” held at Veterans’ Memorial Park. “We do this every year, Vicki L. Brown, Constitution Week chairwoman. She added schools and churches may also participate.
Mayor Tom Hessler read a proclamation declaring Constitution Week, which is Sept. 17-23, as a small group — many wearing American flag pins or patriotic clothing — listened.
Judy Jolley Waterman, DAR chaplain, read an invocation. She thanked God for the country’s spiritual heritage.
“Long may our land be bright by freedom’s holy light,” Waterman said.
Along with the Pledge of Allegiance, the group sang “God Bless America” and “The Star Spangled Banner.”
DAR member Ingrid Baillie read a DAR manual on what the Constitution meant.
“It establishes for you a stable and responsible government,” Baillie said. “It safeguards your life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It guarantees you religious freedom, free lawful speech and the right of peaceable assembly.
“It makes you equal with all men in the law,” she added.
Jon Hanson, whose wife is a DAR member, said he was here out of respect for the Constitution.
Despite heated debate over the Constitution’s role in protecting civil liberties in a post 9/11 America, Hanson and Brown said they believe the document is safe and sound, protected by the three branches of government.
Janet Church, DAR chapter president, said the Constitution is part of every American’s heritage, and “we have to remember where we came from.”
Church added she doesn’t believe enough American citizens know the constitution as well as they should, “and that’s why education is so crucial.”
herald/review reporter Karen Weil can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at karen.weil@bisbeereview.net.
But, the Equal Rights Amendment was REJECTED, multiple times. Thus, are not women specifically NOT equal (and presumably less equal) than men, under the law?
And, what about the right to keep and bear arms??? Let's all put the 2nd Amendment FIRST!!!!
Or, should we just line-through the portions of the Constitution which are now inoperative?
And furthermore, why did they need an Amendment to outlaw booze, if they don't need one to outlaw drugs? Hmmmm????
Maybe they should study the 10th Amendment. The one that says that unless the Constitution specifically grants the feds the power to impose edicts on State schools (last check it did not) then this day, if desired, is at the will of the States.
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