PLAINS – The public is invited to attend the Charters of Freedom dedication ceremony in celebration of Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday.
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The Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Civil Rights Amendments will soon be on permanent display in Sumter County, thanks to a collaborative effort by the Plains City Council and the Friends of Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, in partnership with Foundation Forward, Inc. of Burke County, NC. These foundational documents, collectively known as the Charters of Freedom, will be installed at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, located on Main Street, across from the historic downtown business district in Plains, GA. This will be the first setting to be placed in the state of Georgia.
The Charters of Freedom setting will be dedicated on Tuesday, October 1st, at 4:30 p.m., in celebration of Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday. The public is warmly invited to attend this patriotic event.
Sumter County will be the 63rd Charters of Freedom setting permanently placed in communities across the country by Foundation Forward, a 501(c)(3) educational Nonprofit created by Vance and Mary Jo Patterson of Burke County, North Carolina. The inspiration to set up Foundation Forward followed their first visit to the National Archives to see the founding documents.
Vance Patterson, Founder – “Seeing something our founding fathers had actually penned, and then seeing their signatures – Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Rutledge, Wilson and the others, I just got goosebumps. And, then when we moved over and saw those first three words of The Constitution, We The People, I actually got a lump in my throat.” “It was really an emotional experience,” Vance recalled.
The Pattersons now work to bring that emotional experience to communities across the country, having completed settings in Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Missouri, Florida, California and as far north and west as Wasilla, Alaska.
Foundation Forward’s mission is to install Charters of Freedom settings in easily accessible locations so communities can view these founding documents in a proper setting without having to incur the costs of traveling to Washington, D.C. These settings will provide a hands-on education in American History and Civics. “Imagine if you will school teachers bringing their 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes to their Charters of Freedom for annual field trips to learn a little about our founding fathers, the history surrounding the beginning of our country, and how the government is meant to serve and protect We The People,” says Vance in his dedication speech. This local access will also provide a place for citizens to gather, celebrate, honor and reflect.
A Donors Pedestal has been erected next to the Charters of Freedom setting, and a Field of Honor with Legacy Pavers will be installed in front of the U.S. Constitution for Sumter County citizens to honor loved ones or to recognize active duty military or veterans, first responders, businesses, or organizations. These can be purchased from Foundation Forward for a tax-deductible donation when you visit www.chartersoffreedom.com or call (828) 522-1400.
About Foundation Forward, Inc.
Foundation Forward, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) educational Nonprofit. For more information visit www.chartersoffreedom.com or call Mike Unruh, Director of Communications and Resources, at (910) 508-3165.
