CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (April 29, 2024) – A celebration of freedom and patriotism took place in Beaufort, North Carolina this past Saturday, as the 52nd Charters of Freedom setting nationwide was dedicated near the Veterans Memorial in front of the Carteret County Courthouse. This setting, the 33rd of its kind in North Carolina, includes full-scale replicas of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
The event was livestreamed on the Your Charters of Freedom page on Facebook and will soon be available for viewing on YouTube as well.
North Carolina Representative Celeste Cairns, Carteret County Manager Tommy Burns, and County Public Information Officer Nick Wilson addressed the audience. The invocation was delivered by retired U.S. Army Col. and current Carteret County Board of Education board member Dennis Goodwin. The Carteret County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard presented the Colors, while Carteret County Manager Tommy Burns led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. A stirring rendition of the National Anthem capped off the opening ceremony, performed by retired U.S. Air Force SMSgt Dolly Witt.
Several elected officials and dignitaries were recognized, including Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck, Superior Court Judge Bob Cherry, Beaufort Mayor Sharon Harker, Carteret Community College Vice President Perry Harker, Beaufort Town Commissioner Bucky Oliver, Town of Cape Carteret Commissioners, John Ritchie and Courtney Barnhill, and Constituent Services Director for Congressman Greg Murphy, Mrs. Caroline Wilson.
"We at Carteret County are incredibly honored to have one of these remarkable Charters of Freedom settings right here in the heart of our community," said County Manager Tommy Burns. "These replicas will provide a powerful learning experience for our schoolchildren, allowing them to connect with these precious documents in a tangible way. The Charters of Freedom will now have a permanent home in Carteret County, serving as a constant reminder of the freedoms we hold dear, our rich heritage, and the responsibility we all share to defend them."
"I want to express my gratitude to the Patterson family,” stated Rep. Cairns. “Their vision and dedication to bringing these replicas of the Charters of Freedom to communities across North Carolina is truly inspiring. Imagine the impact this will have on our state's students. Having firsthand access to these historical documents will be an invaluable resource for educators, fostering a deeper understanding of American history and civic responsibility. These settings will serve not only as educational tools but also as reminders of the freedoms we hold dear.”
The ceremony then shifted to a presentation by Foundation Forward, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with communities across the country to build these Charters of Freedom settings. Foundation Forward’s Communications Director, Mike Unruh, recognized the members of their team who were in attendance, including Perry Snider, Connie Snider, and Dr. David Streater, before introducing the organization’s Founders, Vance and Mary Jo Patterson.
Mr. Vance Patterson spoke. Upon the first time laying his eyes on the Declaration of Independence in the National Archives, Vance Patterson said that he “got goosebumps.” Then he read the Constitution's first three words - “We the People,” and Patterson said; “I actually got a lump in my throat,” and his wife, Mary Jo, was “wiping tears out of her eyes.” The couple wanted to bring that experience to their hometown of Morganton, North Carolina. Two years later, they dedicated the first replica Charters of Freedom display, which includes life-size replicas of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
Vance and Mary Jo established Foundation Forward, Inc. with the three principles of “providing education on American History and Civics, so people know how the government is supposed to work, providing easy access to see the documents in a local setting, and providing communities a place to honor and reflect”.
The Patterson’s then began building settings in several other locations across the country, including sites in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Nevada, and as far north and west as Wasilla, Alaska.
A very special framed display of the Civil Rights Amendments was also unveiled. This display was commissioned by Foundation Forward, Inc. of Burke County, NC to include the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 24th Amendments which abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, gave voting rights to all citizens (male and female), and eliminated the Poll Tax. The plan is for the framed document to be taken to various schools for educational purposes before being displayed in a permanent location as selected by county officials for all to see.
“Now, let me ask you," Patterson said to the crowd. “Are you ready to become a part of history? Because we’re going to dedicate YOUR Charters of Freedom setting, and it’s going to be here for the next 300 to 500 years and your future generations are going to know that you were here.”
This is the 52nd Charters of Freedom setting outside of Washington, DC. According to Patterson, the long-term goal of Foundation Forward, Inc. is to place similar displays in all 3,142 counties, boroughs, parishes, independent cities, and census zones throughout the United States.
“We believe it gives us a direct link to our founding fathers by helping to preserve what it is they gave this country - a government to serve and protect we the people,” Mr. Patterson noted. “Two of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, were big proponents of education. They believed that in order to have a free and independent country, you must first understand how government works. That you cannot control what you do not understand.”
Each Charters of Freedom setting also contains a vault that will eventually hold a time capsule. Included in the time capsule will be letters from local dignitaries, along with veterans, first responders, civic, business, law enforcement, and education groups, among others. There will also be a signed list of everyone in attendance at the Dedication Ceremony and other related events. All time capsules in the entire country will be opened on Sept. 17, 2087, the Constitution's 300th Anniversary. Patterson added; “Our hope is that our future generations, our future leaders, will come from these communities that have their own Charters of Freedom setting. That their kids will grow up no longer just talking about the Constitution and Bill of Rights in Washington. They will be talking about their Constitution and their Bill of Rights, the ones they grew up with right here in Georgetown County. Some of those future leaders who are here today may be the same ones to open this very time capsule and read their names along with those of their ancestors.”
Patterson challenged the crowd to bring their children and friends to the Charters of Freedom and “tell them about how their freedoms and rights give them an advantage over the rest of the world to pursue their passion, to chase their dreams, to accomplish their goals and get out of life what it is they want to get out of life.”
Vance and Mary Jo Patterson presented a signed certificate commemorating the event to County Manager Tommy Burns, before reading aloud a description of each of the seven Articles of the Constitution, with each Article being followed by an emphatic ceremonial cannon volley that echoed in the distance.
For more information, please visit www.chartersoffreedom.com or call 828-522-1400.
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