Staff Report

Sept. 6, 2000 10 PM

September 17 marks a milestone in American history.

On that date, the nation will celebrate the 213th anniversary of the drafting of the United States Constitution by the 1787 Constitutional Convention.

As members of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, which sponsors Constitution Week activities, will point out, the Founding Fathers ordained and established the Constitution to secure the Blessings of Liberty for themselves and their posterity.

Constitution Week will be held Sept. 17-23 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution, which guards liberties of a self-governing nation dedicated to rule by law.

More than 200 years ago, American colonists sacrificed and died to establish the freedoms granted by the Constitution.

During the week, DAR encourages citizens to "honor their staunch courage and wise counsel" by studying the Constitution and the rights it provides.

"Americans need only to glance at today’s headlines to find reasons to celebrate our Constitution of the United States of America," states an announcement by the Oliver Wiley Chapter of DAR. "In almost every part of our world today, the oppressed are valiantly struggling for the basic rights we were granted over 200 years ago."

The Troy DAR chapter is giving citizens a chance to participate in the celebration through Bells Across America.

This will give individuals, churches and other entities the opportunity to celebrate freedom by ringing bells and chimes.

At 3 p.m., Sept. 17, the sounds of bells and chimes will be heard across the United States by those choosing to participate.

The hand bell choir from First United Methodist Church in Troy is planning to play "America" after the sounding of the church bell at that hour.

Troy State University’s chimes will likely sound a series of patriotic music like what was heard last year.

Churches in Brundidge, Goshen and Troy are planning to participate by ringing their bells at the designated time.