Pride and patriotism: Clinton shares ‘Spirit of America’ to mark semiquincentennial

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By BRAD HEINEMAN

Clinton Local

Through the ringing of church bells across the community to the synchronized public reading of the Declaration of Independence, Clinton residents gathered in national pride last week to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s founding.

A “Sharing the Spirit of America” ceremony was conducted from 5:30-7 p.m. July 8 on the front lawn of the Smith-Kimball Community Center. With an itinerary organized by the Historical Society of Clinton, the event was one of more than 60 in Michigan and one of more than 500 nationwide and around the world that participated at 6 p.m. this past Wednesday in live, public readings of the Declaration of Independence.

Some readings were planned in places such as Casablanca, Morocco, at the foot of the Great Pyramid in Egypt and at the National Science Foundation McMurdo Station in Antarctica, to name a few.

Eighth grade American history teacher John Schuler III recited the entire document from the porch of the SKCC, 211 Tecumseh Road.

“Sharing the Spirit of America” events — many of which in Michigan were made possible by funding and support from the America 250MI state committee — recognized the 250th anniversary of America’s 13 colonies uniting to declare their independence from England.

Historical Society of Clinton member Mark Jenkins described America’s 250th anniversary as a semiquincentennial, which means half of 500 years.

The Revolutionary War began April 19, 1775, with the “shot heard round the world” at the battle of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, which sparked the creation of the United States. A year later, on July 4, 1776, the second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence inside the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Jenkins said.

“Although independence was declared in 1776, the war to secure it lasted until the Treaty of Paris was signed seven years later on Sept. 3, 1783,” Jenkins said, while serving as the master of ceremonies for last week’s program. “The writing of the Declaration of Independence was assigned to a committee of five congressman: Thomas Jefferson from Virginia, who was the principal writer; John Adams from Massachusetts; Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania; Roger Sherman from Connecticut; and Robert Livingston from New York.”

Four days after the signing of the Declaration, July 8, 1776, the bells of Philadelphia — including the Liberty Bell — rang calling citizens to gather and hear Col. John Nixon give the first public reading of the document in the yard outside of Independence Hall at noon that day, Jenkins continued.

“Copies of the Declaration had already been distributed throughout Philadelphia, but literacy rates were low, so public reading of important news was commonly practiced,” he said. “John Nixon was a prominent Philadelphia merchant, financier and patriot militia officer and was chosen to be town crier for this significant message.”

Clinton witnessed its own town crier — in Schuler III — provide a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

“I was pleased with the attendance because you never know how that might be when you plan something. The weather cooperated and it was a beautiful evening,” said Sharon Scott, trustee and archivist with the Historical Society of Clinton.

In addition to the live reading of the Declaration, Clinton’s “Sharing the Spirit of America” observance included patriotic songs performed by the Village Brass Band, which is comprised of Clare Bowman on the French horn, Heather VanDaele and Kara Roesch on the trumpet, Martin Scott on the trombone, and Sharon Scott on the tuba; Terry Calhoun led the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner”; a gun salute was fired by members of Clinton American Legion Post 176; and guests had the opportunity to sign their names on a commemorative Declaration of Independence banner.

In the minutes leading up to the Declaration reading, church bells around Clinton rang in unison. United Church of Christ, 300 Tecumseh Road, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 122 E. Church St., and the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Monastery, 112 E. Church St., were the participating houses of worship.

Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) Troop 632B assisted with the ringing of the bells at Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Monastery.

Members of Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Troop 60030 led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Participating Scout members included Annabel Cureton, Zarijah Hernandez, Lillian Lobenherz and Madeline LeVasseur.

A picnic-style dinner of grilled hot dogs, chips and cookies was the closing portion of the event. Members of the Clinton Fire Department provided and grilled the hot dogs. Other local agencies and organizations that supported last week’s program included the village of Clinton, Rotary Club of Clinton and the Clinton Lions Club, besides the SKCC and the Historical Society of Clinton.