Harnett County Receives A Permanent Replica Of The Charters Of Freedom

HARNETT COUNTY – A grand celebration of freedom and patriotism took place on May 31st in Lillington, as the nation’s 71st Charters of Freedom setting was formally dedicated at 455 McKinney Parkway. This setting, the 43rd of its kind in North Carolina, includes full-scale replicas of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil Rights Amendments.

Harnett County Manager Brent Trout presented a welcoming speech. He expressed his excitement for the dedication of this project to their community, along with the importance the setting brings to our country. He recognized elected officials in attendance, including Harnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Matt Nicol, Commissioner Barbara McKoy, and Commissioner Eddie Jaggers, thanking them all for their support of this project.

A touching invocation followed, as everyone bowed their heads for a prayer delivered by Harnett County Veterans Council Chaplain John Wood. The Presentation of Colors was led by Western Harnett High School JROTC Cadets.

Harnett County Veterans Service Director Eric Truesdale led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Matt Nicol then took the podium and shared remarks, expressing gratitude for the entire project and for everyone in attendance. He thanked the Foundation for presenting this meaningful addition to Harnett County, noting that it will provide generations of valuable information for the youth in the area.

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 Facilitator, Ron Lewis, recognized the members of their team who were in attendance, including Connie and Perry Snider, Benjamin Hilton, and Alexis Thurlo, before introducing the organization’s Founder, Vance Patterson.

Mr. Vance Patterson said upon the first time laying his eyes on the Declaration of Independence in the National Archives he “got goosebumps”. Then he read the Constitution’s first three words – “We the People,” and Patterson added, “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. T

The Pattersons then began building settings in various locations across the United Statesy. To date, these projects span 17 states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and as far north and west as Wasilla, Alaska.

The setting also includes a display of the Civil Rights Amendments, which encompasses the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 24th Amendments that abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, gave voting rights to all citizens (male and female), and eliminated the Poll Tax. 

“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 gonna know that you were here.”

This is the 71st 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.” 

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 presented a signed certificate commemorating the event to Matt Nicol, Barbara McKoy, and Eddie Jaggers. Barbara took the podium to share how much of a pleasure it is to be part of the group that accepted this project into their community. She shared how wonderful it is to have such a meaningful statement in their community, especially one that truly represents all of the history that makes up our nation.

Patterson then read each of the seven Articles of the Constitution. He was joined by Harnett Central High School student Christopher Patino Lopez, who accompanied the reading with a drum roll. After each Article was read, a powerful ceremonial cannon volley echoed in the distance, adding a dramatic and reverent tone to the proceedings. The honorary cannoneers for the event included members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 990.