Yesterday was Constitution Day and I missed it, again. It's not a day that gets much press or discussion, at least not in the circles I move around in. So I will highlight Constitution Day today and hopefully do a little better next year.
The day marked the 220th birthday of the US Constitution -- the oldest constitution in the world. Nearly 200 new citizens took the Oath of Allegiance at Cantigny Park in Wheaton yesterday. The ABC7 story outlines the ceremony and quotes Federal District Court Judge John Darrah,
"I see these citizens come through the citizenship process, to work so hard to achieve something I have through birthright, is inspiring to say the least, and I think speaks well for our country," said Darrah. "
Elsewhere in the article are inspiring quotes from the new citizens which I would like to bottle up and keep for those days I feel down about the future of the country. Yes, I am a bit of a misty-eyed patriot who loves parades and covers my heart when the flag goes by. I don't see the country as fault-free, but I think it's truly worthy of my devotion.
Yet, Constitution Day passes me by once again. Without picnics and parades it isn't much of a holiday, but perhaps it should be. When you get down to it, the Constitution is why we get misty-eyed about the flag. Men and women died for the Constitution which the flag represents. It's a document unlike any other because it is a personal agreement between the government and each citizen outlining where duties and responsibilities lie; where limits are established. For a monumental legal document, it is both simple to understand and eloquently written.
So, if you have a little time, it may be worth re-reading the Constitution or taking a look at the questions that new immigrants get on their Naturalization Test. I did pretty well on the test, after all I was a finalist in my highschool's Constitution Contest, but I missed a couple (I was never good at keeping all the amendments straight).
Also, Cantigny is a great place to kick off a new life in this country, surrounded by beauty, history and reverence for freedom. The park is a suburban jewel, the former home the McCormick Family, now a public park with gorgeous gardens, picnic grounds and a fascinating museum of the 1st Army Division. I don't visit as often as I should, but every time it's been a great experience. Where else can you stroll through rose gardens and re-enact the invasion of Normandy on the same day?
