A sea of patriotism marked Charters of Freedom dedication

Vicki Hyatt, The Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C.
·2 min read

May 21—CANTON — Patriotism was coursing through the Charters of Freedom dedication ceremony in downtown Canton Monday.

With the Haywood County Honor Guard silently standing watch, those at the ceremony were treated to the "Star Spangled Banner" performed by the Pisgah High School Brass Quartet, the presentation of colors by the Pisgah JROTC Honor Guard, patriotic music by Pisgah High School choral students and seven cannon volleys — one for each of the seven articles in the U.S. Constitution.

In the background was the newly minted display of the nation's founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Civil Rights amendments.

Canton Mayor Pro Tem Gail Mull thanked Foundation Forward and Charters of Freedom for selecting Canton as a site for the display.

"As most of you know, Canton has been through a tremendous amount. We all have suffered through the pandemic, but then Canton was hit with floods and the closing of our main industry that had been in existence for 115 years," she said. "What a beautiful addition this Charters of Freedom tribute will be for our town and community for generations to come."

Canton's display is on the lawn of the Canton Area Historical Museum, along with other WWII monuments. Similar Charters of Freedom displays are in 54 locations across the nation. With the Canton installation, there are 34 in North Carolina.

Canton resident Mike Wood thanked the many individuals, organizations and businesses who supported the effort, and, in turn, received a special recognition of his own for his tireless efforts.

"Please take time to come back and really read these documents," Wood told the crowd. "There is a lot of misinformation out there. Read these and draw your own conclusions."

Vance Patterson, the founder of the organization that installs Charters of Freedom displays, addressed the crowd.

He described the tearful reaction he and his wife, Mary Jo, experienced in 2014 when they saw the nation's original founding documents signed by those who charted the nation's course almost 250 years ago.

It was then the couple knew that people unable to visit Washington, D.C. and see the documents in person needed a chance to read and experience what the founding fathers were thinking as they outlined their vision for the United States.

"This is not a monument," he stressed. "It is hands-on educational support for your schools on how your government works."

He challenged all there to study the documents, bring their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to view the display.

The event ended with rousing John Phillip Sousa marches and children present for the ceremony passing by the display — perhaps getting a glimpse of something they would be studying or visiting later on.