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 Alexandria Schoolkids Participate in Constitutional Anniversary in City Council Chambers 

Happy 237th Birthday, US Constitution!

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.” 

~ Preamble to the United States Constitution 

Three little girls in audience face the camera up close in Alexandria City Council chambers.
Alexandria Elementary School students are excited to be in the inner sanctum of city government, taking part in a historic commemoration. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson peered out at the crowd from his lectern in City Council Chambers, with fellow council members and school officials seated behind him. “Is Samuel Tucker Elementary School still here?” he quipped. “Because I don’t see you!” A cheer arose from the rows filled with Tucker students. “That’s better,” the mayor grinned.  

Man in coat and tie standing at podium
Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, preparing to sign a proclamation in City Council Chambers at City Hall, commemorating Constitution Week, September 17 – 23, 2024. Behind him City Councilmember Sarah Bagley. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

“Is Douglas MacArthur School still here?” the mayor wrinkled his forehead in mock surprise. A second cheer rose up from the hall. The mayor grinned again.  

The room was filled with children from four of the city’s elementary schools. They had come to City Council Tuesday morning to witness a historic ceremony, marking one of our most prominent days in U.S. history. The United States Constitution was signed on this very day 237 years ago on September 17, 1787. 

Children standing together in a formal government room
Samuel Tucker Elementary School, performing They’re Writing the Constitution by Dr. Anne Smith. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

“Why do we celebrate the Constitution?” Linda Ferrara asked the students. She is chair of the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution District V Constitution Week Committee. 

Men in 18th century period dress holding flags in Alexandria City Council chambers
Presentation of Colors by Virginia SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) Combined Color Guard. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

 “The US constitution is our nation’s charter that establishes our form of government and it’s an outline by which we exercise self-rule,” Ferrara explained.  

“It is a unique document. Our Constitution is one that has stood the test of time longer than any other in history.  It reflects the thinking of many learned founding fathers more than 200 years ago, yet it still applies today.”  

Lady in 18th century dress
Vicki Embrey, portraying Mrs. Jolly Milliner of Fairfax Street in Old Town Alexandria in 1787. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

 Mayor Wilson read an official proclamation, commemorating Constitution Week which began Tuesday and continues through September 23.   

A man and two women
Alexandria City Manager James F. Parajon; City Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins; Linda Ferrara, Chair, Virginia District V Constitution Week Committee. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

And now it was time to turn the tables. The Daughters of the American Revolution presented the mayor with a proclamation and lauded him for his years of service to the City of Alexandria. Mayor Wilson did not seek reelection and his role as the city’s top leader concludes January 2025. Wilson was visibly moved by the honor.  

Lady ringing a bell in Alexandria City Council chambers
Linda Ferrara, Chair, ringing the bell as a town crier would. She has a big announcement! The 13 colonies have agreed to unify as one nation – the United States of America – through a document called the United States Constitution. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

“Most of you know Virginians played a prominent role in our independence and in establishing a government,” Ferrara told the audience. “George Washington was the organizer and president of the Constitutional Convention. Inspired by Thomas Jefferson and others, James Madison drafted much of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”  

Lady in a blue suit addresses man in coat and ties in ALexandria City Council chambers
Nancy Hill, Virginia DAR District V director, Pentagon chapter, presents an award to Mark McHugh, Mayor Wilson’s aide, “in recognition of outstanding work” on Constitution Week in Alexandria over the years.  Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

Ferrara continued, “his masterpiece was the document for a unified government and citizens’ rights. The U.S. constitution was Madison’s work signed on September 17th, 1787.”   

A group of people in under huge map of Alexandria city from the 1800s.
Daughters, Sons, and Children of the American Revolution. Left to right: David Embrey, Maryland SAR; Elaine Marini, Member, Kate Waller- Barrett Chapter; Ellen Tabb – Member, Kate Waller Barrett Chapter; Jeannie Reinke, Member, Mount Vernon Chapter; Gail Eger, Regent, Mount Vernon Chapter; Diane Williams, Member, Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter; Vicki Embry,  Member, Mary Caroll Caton Chapter; Noah Salmons, Member, Providence Society, Children of the American Revolution; Gina Salmons, Regent, Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter; Linda Ferrara, Chair; Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson; Laurie Nesbitt, Virginia State Regent; Nancy Hill, Director, Virginia District V; Meg Kane, Regent, Kate Waller Barrett; Vicky Bryant, Nelly Custis; Sara Dillich, Chair, Constitution Week Committee, Kate Waller Barrett; Marianne Sodhi, Member, Dr. Elisha Dick. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press
Lady at podium presenting something to a man in a suit in Alexandria City Council chambers
Natalie Ardoline, Virginia DAR Constitution Week Committee; Nancy M. Hill, presenting proclamation to Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson in recognition of his long service to the city.  Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

Ferrara went on to thank the Daughters of the American Revolution for establishing Constitution Week. Considered the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world, the DAR currently has over 190,000  members with approximately 3,000 chapters in 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 13 foreign countries. There are five DAR chapters in Alexandria alone. 

Lady conducting choir of children
Dawn Abed, music teacher at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, directs her students in a performance of Americans, We by Teresa Jennings. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

The students assembled on the council chambers stage to perform. The Alexandria City High School choir sang the National Anthem, followed by performances from Samuel Tucker, Mount Vernon Community, Douglas MacArthur, and Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy.  

Man in colonial red-jacket and tricorn hat with children behind him in Alexandria City Council chambers.
David Embrey on fife performing Yankee Doodle by Richard Shuckburgh. Behind him is the Alexandria City High School choir, who would next sing the Star-Spangled Banner. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press
Ryan Fitch, choir director conducting his Douglas MacArthur Elementary School students in My America, arranged by Joyce Eilers. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press 
Ryan Fitch, choir director conducting his Douglas MacArthur Elementary School students in My America, arranged by Joyce Eilers. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

The program concluded with a Countdown. In less than two years, the United States will reach the semi-quincentennial, 250 years since the founding of this nation. It is a significant American birthday with a strong Virginia flavor. Many of those early milestone events leading up to independence happened right here in the City of Alexandria.  

Mount Vernon Community School, performing Son for the Unsung Hero by Pamela and Joseph Martin. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press
Mount Vernon Community School, performing Son for the Unsung Hero by Pamela and Joseph Martin. Photo: Judith Fogel/The Zebra Press

ALSO IN THE NEWS: Don’t Miss Paws in the Park, October 13, Area’s Largest Pet Festival

 

 

 

 

 

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