Murphy A celebration of freedom and patriotism took place Aug. 28 as the Cherokee County Charters of Freedom setting was re-dedicated at Konehete Veterans Park
The second of its kind in North Carolina, this setting was relocated from its original location at the intersection of Valley River Avenue and Peachtree Street to its new address due to the revitalization of downtown. The setting includes full-scale replicas of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, followed by an invocation by pastor Wil Posey of Murphy First United Methodist Church. The Presentation of Colors was led by members of American Legion Post 96 under the leadership of Bob Strawhecker.
A stirring rendition of the national anthem was performed by Amy Carter. Radford then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The ceremony then shifted to a presentation by Foundation Forward Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with communities across the country to build these Charters of Freedom settings.
Vance Patterson, founder of Foundation Forward, said the first time his eyes saw the Declaration of Independence in the National Archives, he “got goosebumps.” Then he read the Constitution’s first three words – “We the people,” and Patterson said, “I actually got a lump in my throat.” His wife, Mary Jo, was “wiping tears out of her eyes.”
The couple wanted to bring that experience to their hometown of Morganton. Two years later, they dedicated the first replica Charters of Freedom display.
Foundation Forward was established with the three principles of “providing education on American history and civics so people know how the government is supposed to work; providing easy access to see the documents in a local setting; and providing communities a place to honor and reflect.” The Pattersons then began building settings in several other locations across the country, including sites in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Nevada and as far north and west as Wasilla, Alaska.
A very special framed display of the Civil Rights Amendments was also unveiled. This display was commissioned by Foundation Forward to include the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th and 24th Amendments which abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, gave voting rights to all citizens (male and female) and eliminated the Poll Tax.
The plan is for the framed document to be taken to various schools for educational purposes before being displayed in a permanent location as selected by county officials for all to see.
“Let me ask you,” Patterson said to the crowd. “Are you ready to become a part of history? Because we’re going to dedicate your Charters of Freedom setting, and it’s going to be here for the next 300-500 years and your future generations are gonna know that you were here.”
Patterson said the long-term goal of Foundation Forward is to place similar displays in all 3,142 counties, boroughs, parishes, independent cities and census zones throughout the United States.
“We believe it gives us a direct link to our founding fathers by helping to preserve what it is they gave this country – a government to serve and protect we the people,” Patterson said.
“Two of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, were big proponents of education. They believed that in order to have a free and independent country you must first understand how government works. That you cannot control what you do not understand.”
Each Charters of Freedom setting also contains a vault that will eventually hold a time capsule. Included in the time capsule will be letters from local dignitaries, along with veterans, first responders, civic, business, law enforcement and education groups, among others. There will also be a signed list of everyone in attendance at the dedication ceremony and other related events. All time capsules in the entire country will be opened on Sept. 17, 2087, the Constitution’s 300th anniversary.
“Our hope is that our future generations, our future leaders, will come from these communities that have their own Charters of Freedom setting. That their kids will grow up no longer just talking about the Constitution and Bill of Rights in Washington,” Patterson said. “They will be talking about their Constitution and their Bill of Rights the ones they grew up with right here in Cherokee County.”
Some of those future leaders today may be the same ones to open this time capsule and read their names along with those of their ancestors.
Patterson challenged the crowd to bring their children and friends to the Charters of Freedom and “tell them about how their freedoms and rights give them an advantage over the rest of the world to pursue their passion, to chase their dreams, to accomplish their goals and get out of life what it is they want to get out of life.”
The Pattersons also presented a signed certificate commemorating the event to Radford and Town Manager Chad Simons, before reading aloud a description of each of the seven Articles of the Constitution, with each article being followed by an emphatic ceremonial cannon volley that echoed in the distance.
Details: Visit chartersoffreedom.com.