Commemorating 250 years of the Declaration’s first public proclamation

By ETHAN WALLACE 

CMU Journalism Intern 

HARRISON – A crowd gathered at the Veterans Freedom Park for the reading of the Declaration of Independence featuring 13 guest speakers. The event was hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

This was one of many nationwide to commemorate when the declaration was first read publicly on July 8, 1776.

At the start of the event Ellen Fuller gave an introduction and thanked everyone who came despite the heat. After a prayer, everyone stood up for the pledge of allegiance followed by the Star Spangled Banner played by the Harrison High School band.

The DAR works to help people remember history and keep the promise of equality that the U.S. was built on, Dawn Moulthrop-Brady said. She is the Michigan State Regent serving her third year and has been with the DAR for 15 years.

“Since 1890 DAR members have worked to preserve our nation's history, promote education and promote patriotism, not only by remembering the past, but by helping others discover their own place within the American story,” Moulthrop-Brady said.

She said the women part of the organization have ancestors who were part of the American Revolution. Even now, people have the chance to act to become a part of what will become history.

Before she gave the podium to the readers, she looked at the crowd and said she wondered what it was like when the declaration was first read to the public 250 years ago.

“Imagine that moment people gathered together, not knowing exactly what the future would hold, but united by the hope that any nation can be built upon enduring ideals of liberty,” Moulthrop-Brady said. “Today, 250 years later, we gather for the very same reason, gather to remember, we gather to pass this story to the next generation.”

The first speaker was Lee Ann Benic, City of Clare resident, who read the first segment in braille. She was guided across the stage to and from the podium by the second reader and state representative Tom Kunse.

All the speakers spoke with conviction as attendees applauded after each reading. The other readers were as followed:

Matthew Firman - Scout and recipient of an award certificate from the U.S. Flag Committee of the DAR for his Eagle Scout project of upgrading the 154 flagpoles that the Clare VFW display on Memorial Day

Shelia Parker - City of Clare resident

Steve Draper - Revolutionary era reenactor

Dawn Moulthrop-Brady - State Regent of DAR of Michigan

Pastor Ted Orwig - Air Force Veteran and Assistant Pastor of Clare Christ Fellowship Church

Hannah Goethe - 2026 Good Citizen of the Clare High School and Michilimacinac Chapter’s essay winner

Sandra Cole - Navy Veteran and member of the Michilimacinac Chapter of DAR

Janet Adamski - National Guard Veteran and member of the Michilimacinac Chapter of DAR

Karen Blatt - Gladwin County resident, board member of Helping Hands Mission of Beaverton and member of the Historical Society of Michigan

Bob Frei - Air Force Veteran, American Legion member, Vice President of the Gladwin County Historical Society and Board Treasurer of the Gladwin County District Library

Tom Dunn - Clare VFW Auxiliary Member

The DAR plans to continue celebrating the U.S. through events and commemorations until 2033 for the 250th anniversary of when the Treaty of Paris was signed.

“Today is not the finish line but the opening chapter of an extraordinary journey of remembrance.” Moulthrop-Brady said. “Over the next 7 years we have the opportunity to rediscover the stories of the men and women whose courage, sacrifice, perseverance and vision created the nation we call home.”

She said the DAR will continue to honor the past to celebrate the future.