Several members of the the Jane Randolph Jefferson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in period dress last Tuesday met with Mayor Darryl Haller and spoke with visitors at Hilkemeyer General Store about the importance of Constitution Week, which is celebrated Sept. 17-23 each year.

DAR has been sponsoring support of Constitution Week since 1956, but this is the first year an event has been hosted at Freeburg, though last year students at Holy Family Catholic School worked on materials related to the celebration. This year, students in seventh and eighth grade under the direction of Mrs. Annette Poettgen created four books that were on display at various locations, including Hilkemeyer General Store in Freeburg, and Tolson’s Drug Store, Samuel’s Tuxedos and Missouri River Regional Library, all in Jefferson City.

“This is a really special week for us,” said Constitution Week Chairperson Eva Yeager. “The DAR focuses on education, historic preservation and patriotism. Celebrating Constitution Week encapsulates all three of these focuses.” 

The work done by the DAR benefits active military, veterans, as well as the general public.

The Daughters of the American Revolution initiated the observance in 1955, when the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate Sept. 17-23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on Aug. 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915.

The celebration’s goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September of 1787; to inform people that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution.

“The framers created a Constitution that translated into law the ideals upon which our nation was built,” said DAR President General Ann Dillon. “Their vision was so forward thinking that their words still guide us today. No American history education can be complete without a thorough understanding of the impact the Constitution has had on the lives of American citizens past and present.”

DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week. This annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National Society’s work. By fostering knowledge of and appreciation for the Constitution and the inalienable rights it affords to all Americans, Dillon said DAR helps to keep alive the memory of the men and women who secured our nation’s independence, whose bravery and sacrifice made possible the liberties we enjoy today.

“While Independence Day is a beloved national holiday, fewer people know about Constitution Week, an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and protects the freedoms central to our American way of life,” said Yeager.

New member Rose Hilkemeyer said she was excited to host the event at the store, with two drawings held Friday in which Nathan Welschmeyer of Freeburg won a Gerbes card and welcome tray, and Carla Block of Vichy won hot chocolate and coffee mugs.

“We were happy to host the event and talk to people about the Constitution,” she said. “I am also happy that the students at Holy Family were so involved in presenting this information on the books they made. Everything we have in this country is because our founding fathers set a solid foundation, and it’s something to appreciate and celebrate.”

Joining Yeager and Hilkemeyer for the kickoff celebration were Esther Rosner, Tina Sellner, Brenda Kuensting, Elizabeth Blumhost and Linda Dunbar, and a close friend of the Hilkemeyer’s, Bethany Whelchel of Vienna, who participated in the period dress as well. The ladies enjoyed a meal at T&L’s in Freeburg after the event.

In addition to the mayoral proclamation, a replica of the U.S. Constitution was on display, along with notes about the document that set the foundation for this country.