Welcome to Constitution Week! Constitution Week is celebrated September 17-23, with a focus on the importance of the Constitution and the freedoms it gives us. The NSDAR started this celebration in 1955 when the ladies petitioned Congress to dedicate September 17-23 as a time to observe and study the Constitution. It was later adopted and signed into public law in 1956.

We were fortunate in that several of our chapter members were able to meet with the Mayor and get a proclamation signed for Constitution Week.

We would like to encourage everyone to read (or re-read) a copy of the Constitution to refresh their memories on the privileges that we are allotted due to the foresight of our founding fathers.

September was the start of our monthly meetings. We had a wonderful turnout for our first meeting and a wonderful speaker. We listened to local author Cecelia Wilson speak about the childhood of Mrs. Edith, who grew up in Germany as it was being bombed in WWII and the efforts her mother made to keep all 8 of her children alive and together.

They will be doing a book signing at the Searcy Public Library on October 12 for those who may be interested in obtaining a signed copy.

We also got the privilege of witnessing the swearing in of another new member, Melinda Wylie. We are so excited about the potential members we have been meeting with and aiding in transitioning to new members. We would like to give a HUGE shout-out to Joylynn as she is the main contact who helps the potential members become new members. She puts in many long hours and a lot of hard work to make that possible.

We ended our meeting paying homage to our dearly loved members who have sadly passed away this year. Chaplain Cathleen spoke briefly on the lives of Janie Quarles, Merrell Walker, and Arzetta Rasco. While we have hope that they are in a better place, they have left a good sized hole in our hearts and are missed daily.

It was a great meeting overall with much camaraderie afterwards. It was so wonderful to see so many faces, and hear so many conversations going on. We are looking forward to the projects we are working on this year, and to next month’s meeting. If you are a woman 18 years old or older and interested, we would love to have you at our next meeting!

We hope that today you were able to lower your flag to half staff, or attach a black ribbon, as we remember the 3,000 people who died as a result of a terrorist attack. We mourn the first responders who died, and are currently fighting health issues related to the attacks, as well as the families of those who lost their loved ones, and are still losing loved ones.