September 17

Here in the United States, September 17 is just another day. Typically leaves are beginning to show their color, football games have stands filled with a roaring crowd and the air begins to have a morning chill as many begin to prepare for hunting season.

September 17 in reality should be a holiday celebrated as much as, or even more so, than July 4. July 4 has parades, picnics, fireworks and gatherings to celebrate the day our founding fathers signed a document declaring independence from the superpower of Great Britain.

What makes September 17 special? In 1787, thirty-nine brave men who had literally fought for freedom from being ruled from across the ocean-and WON against all odds-signed the U.S. Constitution. This document provided the framework for our government.

These men knew that reliance on human wisdom alone would be detrimental, both for the growing nation and the Constitutional Convention itself. Benjamin Franklin made a motion to hold “prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations.” The words he spoke to the delegates are a premonition of our county, state and country today:

“‘…except the Lord build the House they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages.”

The Constitution set up our branches of government and how those branches would work together. The Amendments added to this document specified declaratory and specific clauses to “ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.” But through it all, they knew that human wisdom alone would fail.

Our freedoms are clearly laid out in this document.

For those of us who value FREEDOM-of religion, for medical choices, to bear arms, to vote and to enjoy the gift of freedom-we must be willing to stand strong.
To voice our opinions.
To share our thoughts.
To remind our family, our friends and our neighbors that we are an imperfect nation who is constantly growing and learning.

May freedom ever ring while we defend the framework of government set up by the Constitution and the rights guaranteed to us in the Amendments.

Happy Constitution Day!