Let the Bells Toll

With one minute before 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, seven members of Trammel’s Trace Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution pulled themselves together on the front steps of the Atlanta Public Library. They were joined by two library personnel and three patrons.

Off in the distance, the chimes of the Assembly of God Church began to toll.

“One ... two ... three ...” It was the exact time for the celebration of Constitution Day for Constitution Week, designated by Public Law 915 for the president of the United States to proclaim.

The timing was important. On this day and hour, Sept. 17, DAR members around the country rang bells. There may have been tens of thousands of them across the United States.

In Atlanta, Constitution Week and Day has been observed yearly thanks to the Trammels Trace Chapter of the NSDAR. On this occasion, the seven wore colonial period clothing and rang a variety of bells.

An essential question was asked. “What do you think of the constitution? What is its essential meaning for you. Not what Google tells. What do you think?”

A moment of quietness occurred, and then Anita Lawson spoke.

“To me, it means protection,” she said. “I have these protections.”

And with that, the purpose of Constitutional Day and Week in Atlanta was fulfilled.

Carolyn Addington is regent of the Trammel’s Trace Chapter and led in the Constitution Day celebration. She had contacted town, country and school officials to attest with the proclamation. The local DAR chapter does this annually and hopes to increase its effectiveness, perhaps performing a skit or other activity on this day and hour.

Bell ringing with the nation is effective, Addington said she believed. The 65 members of the Trammel’s Trace Chapter each year show that they agree.