Daughters of the American Revolution to Celebrate Constitution Week Sept. 17 at Melbourne Library

fostering knowledge of and appreciation for the Constitution and the inalienable rights it affords

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Melbourne Mayor Kathy Meehan recently signed and presented to Lisa Waters of the Daughters of the American Revolution a Proclamation declaring September 17 to 23 Constitution Week.

The Daughters of the American Revolution has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week.

To celebrate Constitution Week, join Abigail Wright Chamberlin Daughters on Tuesday, September 17 at the Melbourne Public Library for fun and free patriotic giveaways.

The library is located at 540 E. Fee Avenue and the program will begin at 10 a.m.

“All ages welcome and this annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National Society’s work,” said Waters.

By fostering knowledge of and appreciation for the Constitution and the inalienable rights it affords to all Americans, the Daughters of the American Revolution helps to keep alive the memory of the men and women who secured our nation’s independence, whose bravery and sacrifice made possible the liberties we enjoy today.

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

These words, written 232 years ago, are the Preamble to our Constitution, and during Constitution Week celebrate the signing of this important document.

“Read beyond the Preamble to understand the structure of the three branches of our representative government,” said Waters.

“There are two documents of paramount importance to American history: the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that is still in use today.”

While Independence Day is a beloved national holiday, fewer people know about Constitution Week, an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and protects the freedoms central to our American way of life.

The Daughters of the American Revolution initiated the observance in 1955 when the organization petitioned the U.S. 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 law.

The celebration’s goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to inform people that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution.

The framers created a Constitution that translated into law the ideals upon which our nation was built,” said DAR Honorary President General Ann Turner Dillon.

“Their vision was so forward-thinking that their words still guide us today. No American history education can be complete without a thorough understanding of the impact the Constitution has had on the lives of American citizens past and present.”

One of the largest patriotic women’s organizations in the world, DAR has more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and even in numerous foreign countries.

DAR strives to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service, and more.

For additional information about DAR and its programs, visit DAR.org

The Abigail Wright Chamberlin chapter meets monthly, October through May, on the third Monday of each month at the Holiday Inn Viera & Conference Center, located at I-95 and Wickham Road. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Cathy Jaskiewicz at cathyjdar@gmail.com

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