DAR: 2019 Constitution Day Celebration

A Celebration of the United States Constitution Athens State University, McCandless Hall, September 18th, Athens, AL

With Special Guest Speaker,
​Brigadier General Phillip S. Jolly, US Army (retired)

Front Row (L to R): Dr Debra Baird, Athens State University Professor of Religious Studies & Second Vice Regent,John Wade Keyes Chapter DAR, Dana Henry, Regent,John Wade Keyes Chapter DAR, Mrs. Carole Malone, Mrs. Frances Andrews, and Mrs. Sissy Thompson of John Wade Keyes Chapter DAR. Back Row (L to R): Dr Ronnie Merritt, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Athens State University, Dr Joe Delap, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Athens State University, Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, & Athens State University President, Dr. Philip Way

​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.

​   The public is invited to a celebration of the United States Constitution on September 18, 2019, at the historic McCandless Hall at Athens State University. The event is hosted by Athens State University and the John Wade Keyes DAR. The festivities will begin...

Brigadier General Phillip S. Jolly, U.S. Army (retired

... in the ballroom at 11:00 a.m. and will feature a complimentary All-American hot dog lunch. At 11:30 the East Limestone High School Drum Line under the direction of band director, Jennifer Janzen, will perform in the Courtyard as a call to attention to the greatness of our U.S. Constitution. The program will commence in McCandless Hall at noon, and will include patriotic music played by Dr. Ronnie Merritt on the 1892 tracker-action pipe organ, a welcome by Mayor Ronnie Marks, more patriotic tunes by a flautist trio led by Julie Estes, vocals by Jim Thompson, a celebration of the suffragettes with Dr Debra Baird in honor of women gaining the right to vote, a presentation of scholarships by Dr. Ron Fritze and DAR Regent Dana Henry, and a message about The United States Constitution from Brigadier General Phillip S. Jolly, U.S. Army (retired).
A prolific public speaker, General Jolly has received numerous awards during his long and distinguished military career. He has served for 35 years in both civilian and military service. His last military assignment was as Deputy Commanding General for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs for US Army Europe.
Among his many assignments, he deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was also selected to serve as Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander for the 926th Engineer Brigade which included deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The DAR has ceremoniously honored The Constitution each year since the organization petitioned Congress in 1955 to set aside September 17-23, to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the resolution into public law on August 2, 1956.

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Athens State University

300 North Beaty Street in Athens, AL