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A grand celebration of freedom and patriotism took place today in celebration of Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday in Plains, Georgia, as the 63rd Charters of Freedom setting nationwide was dedicated at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park on Main Street, across from the historic downtown business district in Plains, GA. This setting, the 1st of its kind in the state of Georgia, includes full-scale replicas of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil Rights Amendments.

The event was partially broadcast live on the Your Charters of Freedom Facebook page and the entire video will soon be available for viewing on Facebook and YouTube.

Americus-Sumter High School student Melvon McCluster performed a saxophone rendition of “Happy Birthday,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and several other beautiful songs as attendees settled in for the event.

The ceremony began with a welcome from Plains, Georgia Mayor Joey Recker, followed by an invocation by Reverend Christopher O’Bryant of Lebanon Baptist Church.

The Presentation of Colors was led by the Americus-Sumter High School JROTC, and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was performed by Alecia Grant.

Commander Ethan Wolfe of American Legion Post 30 then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Honorary speakers included Jan Williams of the Plains Historic Commission, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop (2nd District), and Georgia State Representative Mike Cheokas (District 151), who all spoke beautiful words on the importance of having a Charters of Freedom setting in their community and what it means to them.

The ceremony transitioned to a presentation by Foundation Forward, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with communities nationwide to build Charters of Freedom settings. Foundation Forward’s Communications Director, Mike Unruh, introduced Josh Carter, grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who attended the event with his wife and children. Josh began by expressing his family’s appreciation for the huge celebration held in honor of his grandfather’s 100th birthday. He shared fond memories of their morning, mentioning the wonderful breakfast the family had with Mr. Carter, who was in good spirits. Josh spoke on the importance of these historical documents as an educational resource in Georgia and thanked Foundation Forward for choosing Plains as the first location in the state to host a Charters of Freedom setting.

Mr. Unruh then resumed his speech, honoring all active military members and veterans in the crowd, followed by a moment of silence for those affected by the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene. He went on to recognize the team members in attendance, including Connie and Perry Snider, David Streater, and Alexis Thurlo, adding a special recognition to Gary and Anne Bergenske, significant champions of the organization. He then introduced the organization’s founders, Vance and Mary Jo Patterson.

Mr. Vance Patterson. spoke.

Upon the first time laying his eyes on the Declaration of Independence in the National Archives, Vance Patterson said that he “got goosebumps”. Then he read the Constitution’s first three words – “We the People,” and Patterson said; “I actually got a lump in my throat”, and his wife, Mary Jo, was “wiping tears out of her eyes.”  The couple wanted to bring that experience to their hometown of Morganton, North Carolina.  Two years later, they dedicated the first replica Charters of Freedom display, which includes life-size replicas of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

Vance and Mary Jo established Foundation Forward, Inc. with the three principles of “providing education on American History and Civics so people know how the government is supposed to work, providing easy access to see the documents in a local setting, and providing communities a place to honor and reflect”.  The Pattersons then began building settings in several other locations across the country, including sites in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, California, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Nevada, and as far north and west as Wasilla, Alaska.

The setting also includes a display of the Civil Rights Amendments, which encompasses the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 24th Amendments that abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, gave voting rights to all citizens (male and female), and eliminated the Poll Tax.

“Now, let me ask you”; Patterson said to the crowd.  “Are you ready to become a part of history?  Because we’re going to dedicate YOUR Charters of Freedom setting and it’s going to be here for the next 300 to 500 years and your future generations are gonna know that you were here.”

This is the 63rd Charters of Freedom setting outside of Washington, DC.  According to Patterson, the long-term goal of Foundation Forward, Inc. is to place similar displays in all 3,142 counties, boroughs, parishes, independent cities, and census zones throughout the United States.

“We believe it gives us a direct link to our founding fathers by helping to preserve what it is they gave this country – a government to serve and protect we the people,” Mr. Patterson noted.  “Two of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, were big proponents of education.  They believed that in order to have a free and independent country you must first understand how government works.  That you cannot control what you do not understand.”

Each Charters of Freedom setting also contains a vault that will eventually hold a time capsule. Included in the time capsule will be letters from local dignitaries, along with veterans, first responders, civic, business, law enforcement, and education groups, among others.  There will also be a signed list of everyone in attendance at the Dedication Ceremony and other related events. All time capsules in the entire country will be opened on Sept. 17, 2087, the Constitution’s 300th Anniversary.  Patterson added; “Our hope is that our future generations, our future leaders, will come from these communities that have their own Charters of Freedom setting. That their kids will grow up no longer just talking about the Constitution and Bill of Rights in Washington. They will be talking about their Constitution and their Bill of Rights, the ones they grew up with right here in Georgia.  Some of those future leaders who were here today may be the same ones to open this very time capsule and read their names along with those of their ancestors.

Patterson recognized Kim Carter Fuller, the Friends of Jimmy Carter, Mayor Joey Recker, and the Plains City Council for meeting the challenge of bringing a Charters of Freedom setting to Georgia.  He then challenged the crowd to bring their children and friends to the Charters of Freedom and “tell them about how their freedoms and rights give them an advantage over the rest of the world to pursue their passion, to chase their dreams, to accomplish their goals and get out of life what it is they want to get out of life.”

Vance and Mary Jo Patterson presented a signed certificate commemorating the event to Mayor Joey Recker. They were then joined by an Honorary Drummer from the Americus-Sumter High School Band, who accompanied the reading of each of the seven Articles of the Constitution. After each Article was read, a powerful ceremonial cannon volley echoed in the distance. The Honorary Cannoneers for the event were Rangers from the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park.

As the echoes faded, Reverend R.T. Beverly of Plains Methodist Church led the crowd in a moving closing prayer before the Charters of Freedom was revealed for all to see.

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