Celebrating 234 Years | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Members of the William Bartram Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution ring bells as they stand by George Washington on Friday in Palatka to celebrate Constitution Week.
Meri Rees, the regent for the William Bartram Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, speaks Friday about Constitution Week.
East Palatka resident Johnny Counts dresses as George Washington and talks to the crowd of residents gathered in downtown Palatka on Friday.
Positively Putnam FL

Women dressed in 18th-century dresses, and even George Washington, rang bells in celebration of Constitution Week in Palatka.

The William Bartram Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated the 234th anniversary of the Constitution signing by performing the Star-Spangled Banner, sharing what the document means to them and reading the Constitution’s preamble.

“A little has changed with the Constitution over time. We’ve added a little bit here and there as needed for clarification … but it’s pretty much essentially the same document,” chapter Regent Meri Rees said. “To me, that’s amazing.”

According to the William Bartram chapter’s website, the nonprofit organization has chapters for women all across Florida for women. The local chapter was founded in 1984, and any adult woman who is a direct, blood-line descendant of someone “who aided in achieving American independence” can become a member.

Residents and other descendants stood outside First Presbyterian Church of Palatka waving American flags to recognize Constitution Week, which ends Thursday.

George Washington, played by East Palatka resident Johnny Counts, stood on the church steps to give a speech to onlookers Friday afternoon.

“Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness,” he said. “The independence and liberty that you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts of common dangers, suffering and successes.”

The tinkling of bell chimes rang out at 4 p.m. from residents and chapter members at the exact time the Constitution was signed Sept. 17, 1787.

Earlier this month, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners and Palatka City Commission accepted proclamations recognizing Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.

“(This is) just something I heard after the 9/11 presentation on the news. Someone had made a comment and said, ‘If we do not love our country and protect those who defend us, we will not survive,” Chapter Secretary Julie Thompson said. “And it’s very true.”