DAR kick off Constitution Week with bell ringing

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

In remembrance of the signing of the American Constitution, bells across America rang out Tuesday, Sept. 17 in ceremonies organized by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

The Virgin Valley Chapter of DAR held the bell ringing ceremony in Mesquite’s Veterans Memorial Park. A fair-size crowd, trying to gather under the shade of a tree, rang their bells at 1 p.m. Pacific time to coordinate with the original signing at 4 p.m. EST.

An invocation was given by Pastor Craig Janson from River Valley Bible Church. The Veterans Honor Guard presented the colors and Councilperson Brian Wurster sang the National Anthem.

Ruth Dickie, Southern Nevada State Chair for the Virgin Valley DAR chapter, welcomed attendees. Regent Dr. Leigh Rossner introduced speaker Mona Crandall Hook, Nevada State Regent, who spoke about DAR and Bells Across America.

Mayor Al Litman gave an informative speech on the Constitution, reminding everyone that the “American Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. It has been in operation since 1789.” Litman was given a challenge coin from DAR in recognition of his military service.

The third speaker was local author/historian and attorney Jeffrey McKenna. He gave a rousing speech, telling the history of the circumstances that brought about the writing of the Constitution. His book, “Saving Dr. Warren,” tells the story as written for teens.

The wind came up during the ceremony and threatened to blow away the shade structure, but Nicholas Montoya, Randy Laub and Wes Boger came to the rescue and held down the tent.

Marie Palmer and the Mesquite Bell Choir performed beautifully at intervals throughout the ceremony.

At precisely 1 p.m., everyone rang their bells for one full minute. Mayor Litman brought the large replica bell that was used in the 9/11 ceremony. The original bell, which was on the USS Endicott that served in WWII, is now housed in the presidential chapel at Camp David. It was given to Littman by Donald Aldrich, who served on the USS Endicott.

Pastor Justin Mosher, from the First Baptist Church, gave the closing benediction.
Dickie thanked Reliance Connects for donating cold water for the event and Nic Montoya and Jairo Vallejo from the Parks & Recreation department for their assistance in organizing the event.