Above / During a ceremony to proclaim Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, 2023, Mayor Scott Wehrli accepted a Braille American Flag for permanent display in his office from Fort Payne Regent Jill Brewer.
Today at 11AM members of the Fort Paine DAR met in the Office of Mayor Scott Wehrli for a reading of a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, 2023.
“Whereas, The Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a Republic dedicated to rule by law; and,” Mayor Wehrli began.
“Whereas, September 17, 2023 marks the two hundred and thirty-sixth anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention; and
“Whereas, it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary; and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate the occasion; and
“Whereas, Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week; and
“Whereas, Naperville’s Ft. Payne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) celebrates these designations annually through displays at each Naperville Public Library branch to encourage study of historical events leading to the framing of the Constitution, to inform residents of America’s great heritage through our founding document, and to emphasize citizen’s responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.
“Now, therefore, I, Scott Wehrli, Mayor of the City of Naperville, do hereby proclaim September 17th through September 23rd, 2023, as Constitution Week in the City of Naperville.”
Braille Replica of American Flag now Graces Mayor’s Office
During the brief presentation, Brewer presented Mayor Wehrli with what appeared to be a framed fifty-star American flag. Brewer explained that the red, white and blue star-spangled banner is a “Braille Flag,” a fully-tactile graphic accompanied with a user key that aides the blind in denoting the orientation and colors of the American flag.
The handsome replica is constructed from Braillon paper, a polyethylene material noted for durability. The Union is raised and contains embossed tactile stars. The stripes contain texture and Braille code displaying The Pledge of Allegiance. Beneath the flag is a key in Braille code, Brewer explained.
Mayor Wehrli then welcomed members of DAR as well as Carl Schultz from NCTV to his office where he found the perfect place for the Braille Flag.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
In addition to accepting the Mayor’s Proclamation, the Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR kicked-off Constitution Week with an artful and inspiring video produced by videographer Thomas Hartmann. Featuring interviews with visitors in downtown Naperville, DAR member Madeline Miller asks, “What is the U.S. Constitution?”
Any individual who has yet to read the Constitution of the United States and/or other important historical documents that helped shape this nation will find an informative exhibit behind the Naperville Municipal Center, just steps up from the Cmdr. Dan Shanower Sept. 11 Memorial.
Written in script, the Constitution, framed and displayed under the word “Freedom,” is comprised of 4,543 words, including signatures of thirty-nine delegates. It takes about half an hour to read the founding document, but allow at least an hour. Some sections require reading more than once.
Note also that the Constitution is known to be the oldest existing major government in the world. And the document that serves as the rule of law for the United States of America is the shortest.
What’s more, some historians have devoted a lifetime to interpreting the Constitution, touted to be the greatest vision of human freedom in history. And most students in America learned The Preamble by heart in seventh or eighth grade.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Thanks for reading. —PN
