In period attire, local DARs celebrate Constitution
The event, hosted by the General William Lenoir Chapter of National Society of DAR, was one of at least four observances to the Constitution in Farragut since last week, with three held in Farragut Intermediate and Farragut Middle schools along with Knoxville Christian School.
Many attendees, which included state dignitaries and members of other chapters, wore Revolutionary War-era attire, complete with gowns and uniforms. “This is wrapping up Constitution Week for our chapter,” said Renee Hamilton, Tennessee State DAR registrar and General William Lenoir DAR honorary regent. “We had many activities through this week (but) today is a fellowship day.”
Constitution Week, which took place Sept. 17 through Sept. 23, was enacted on Aug. 2, 1956, by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a Congressional resolution petitioned by DAR. However, former U.S. President George W. Bush officially declared the inception of the week in September 2002.
“The week’s celebration is three-fold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution Sept. 17, 1787; to remind the public that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation for its way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibilities to protect, defend and preserve the U.S. Constitution,” said April McCroskey, GWL DAR chapter regent.
During the week, DAR chapter members from Emory Road DAR chapter sponsored an event observing Constitution Day (Sept. 17) with a proclamation read and signed by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. School superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyck, FIS principal Suzanne Parham, Susan Horn, 5th District Knox County Board of Education representative, and FIS students, after students learned about the importance of the Constitution.
Similar programs were held at FMS and Knoxville Christian School, presented by the Andrew Bogle DAR chapter. At KCS, AB DAR member Sandra Fuller and Julius Hite, Stephen Holston Sons of the American Revolution chapter member, as well as KCS vice principal Kay Wellons, dressed in period attire as they talked about how things were in the 1780s, when the Constitution was signed.
Of the 3,000 DAR chapters in the United States, Knoxville has five chapters — Andrew Bogle, Bonny Kate, Samuel Frazier, Cavett Station and Emory Road — and two in Loudon County — General William Lenoir and Hiwassee, said Mona Isbell Smith, a member of General William Lenoir Chapter.
