Smith-McMillan Chapter, NSDAR, Holds Constitution Day “Ringing of the Bells”

Smith-McMillan Chapter, DAR hosted the annual “Ringing of the Bells” Cere-mony with a Proclamation from Honorable Judge Dan Mueller celebrating Constitution Day, Sept. 17 and Constitution Week 2024. Pictured left to right: bottom row: Kathy Schatte, Con-stitution Week Chairperson; Judge Dan Mueller; Jan Dockery, La Grange Mayor; Sherry Hebert, Chaplain. Second row: Ursula Higgs; Juli McCrosky, Recording Secretary; Lois Wink; guest, Carolyn Webb; Top row: Cassie Austin, Court Administrator and Carolyn Caflisch, Regent.

When the Constitution was signed by all of the delegates back in 1787, Church bells were rung. The Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, initiated this observance in 1956 when they petitioned the US 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. We call this Ceremony Bells Across America.

Our goals are threefold:

• To encourage the study of 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 founda-tion for its way of life; And to emphasize US citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the US Constitution.

On the grounds of the Fayette County courthouse, the Smith McMillan chapter of DAR held a “Bells Across America” ceremony. This ceremony takes place all across our great country each year on September 17 at 3 o’clock.

The Honorable Judge Dan Mueller read the Fayette County Constitution Week proclamation. We then rang our bells at 3 o’clock. After the bells, we recited the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. A prayer written by George Washington was read. Before our dismissal, the group sang “God bless America.” The Smith-McMillan always looks forward to this special week which gives us the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of our Constitution.