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My 5-year-old granddaughter went to a Fourth of July event last year and just couldn’t stop talking about it afterward. “I love America,” she said, her blue eyes sparkling, waving a kid-size U.S. flag.
“Yes, we do,” I replied. “And do you know why?”
She shook her head.
“Because in America, we’re free to be who we want to be, to live our lives the way we want to live, as long as we also respect the rights of others. That flag stands for our freedom.”
“Then we should put it on our clubhouse,” she added, walking to the back porch and placing the flag in a holder next to the front door of her Little Tikes place, where it remains today (unless her younger sister gets a hold of it, of course).
Unfortunately, too many children aren’t being raised with a proper understanding of our country, what it means, how it works and our most noble aspirations. All they often hear from their parents and guardians is either apathy or extreme partisan grumbling, two things far removed from patriotic pursuits.
Vance and Mary Jo Patterson of Burke County understand that. However, instead of just complaining about it, they decided to do something.
After being visibly moved by seeing our nation’s original founding documents in the National Archives, the Pattersons formed Foundation Forward Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with communities across the country to build replicas of the Charters of Freedom settings. The local setting was set in 2014 at the pocket park in downtown Murphy next to Exit Realty; on Aug. 28, a rededication ceremony was held at Konehete Veterans Park.
The park, which added veterans to its title a few years ago and is already home to a few other memorials, is a perfect place for the Charters of Freedom. It’s much more accessible to children and school groups, there’s plenty of parking and room to move around, and folks using the Murphy River Walk and nearby ball fields will come by it every day.
Patterson shared last week that the logo on the replica has two stars – one for Burke County, where the first one was set; while the second is for Murphy, home of the second replica. Foundation Forward’s mission is to install Charters of Freedom settings in every county across the county, providing a hands-on education in U.S. history and civics.
“Imagine, if you will, school teachers bringing their third-, fourth- and fifth-grade classes to their Charters of Freedom for annual field trips to learn a little about our founding fathers, the history surrounding the beginning of our country, and how the government is meant to serve and protect we the people,” Patterson said.
Amen to that. Those who don’t know, and respect, history are destined to repeat the worst aspects of it. We thank Foundation Forward for its desire to share integral parts of U.S. history with all Americans.
Each replica is not cheap, as they are made to exacting standards and Patterson said there’s a solid 3½ feet of concrete keeping it attached to the earth. That makes the Charters of Freedom setting as strong and sturdy as the Constitution and founding fathers who inspired it.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 837-5122; email, dbrown@cherokeescout.com; or Twitter @daviddBstroh.