By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Bells were ringing on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Mesquite. A crowd of people assembled there at noon to participate in the Daughters of a American Revolution (DAR) ceremony commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

It was a warm day and thankfully the chairs for the audience had been set up under the shade of a great tree, thanks to members of the Mesquite Rec Center staff.

DAR chaplain Ruth Dickie was the master of ceremonies for the event. She recounted the story of, back in September of 1787, when the Constitution was finally signed, the townspeople rang a bell to call everyone together. DAR commemorates the Sept., 17 date each year with the ringing of the bells.

Those in attendance each received a small hand bell. At precisely 1:00 pm everyone cheerfully rang their bells for one full minute.

The program began with the Veterans Center Honor Guard presenting the Colors. The Sun City Bell Ringers, directed by Marie Palmer, played the National Anthem and everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Throughout the ceremony the Bell ringers played an array of patriotic songs and members of the audience took it upon themselves to softly sing the words, creating heartwarming moments.

Mesquite Mayor Al Litman gave a short speech highlighting that “The Constitution is mostly a statement of national principles rather than a detailed operation guide. The Constitution was created to protect us from tyranny.”

Air Force Sargeant and Vice-President of the Mesquite Veterans Center Robert Nehilla also gave a short speech. “I have never forgotten the oath I took to protect this country,” Nehilla said. “I will always kneel for the cross and stand for the flag.”

Constitution Week will continue in school class rooms across the nation; especially here in Mesquite thanks to the DAR chapter. Dickie introduced Kiana O’Rourke, the 5th grade winner of a poster contest held by the DAR to commemorate the important event. Her award-winning poster was displayed on the podium for the crowd to see.

The ceremony was attended by the Vicki Cliff, Virgin Valley Chapter Regent’ DAR State Regent Cindi Bell, who is also the first State Regent who is a veteran; and Chapter Co-Chair Sandy Ball. State DAR chaplain Becky O’Brian was also in attendance as well as city council members Patti Gallo and Wes Boger. Mesa Valley Estates brought a van full of local veterans who are residents of that facility.