Posted: 3/19/03

Students celebrate ëLiberty Dayí

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Lessons on the strength of the American spirit were delivered to Grade 5-6 students from three schools during a celebration of Liberty Day on Monday.

Sixth District Congressman Mark Kennedy was the guest speaker at the event hosted by Scandia Elementary School. Students from Marine and Withrow elementary schools also took part in the program.

Liberty Day is in honor of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Madison helped write the Virginia Plan which was the basis for the creation of the U.S. Constitution. As a member of the first Congress, Madison introduced the Bill of Rights to the House of Representatives in 1789.

It was such events and historical sites that inspired Kennedy as a young boy. Today, he serves in the 108th Congress.

In speaking to his youthful audience, Kennedy urged students to look for the strength of the American spirit from historical events such as the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the Constitution.

ìBack in 1776 that was a big deal,î Kennedy said of the declaration of independence that contained many ideas and principles that were considered radical at the time.

As the nation appears headed into a time of war with Iraq, Kennedy quoted president George W. Bush on numerous occasions Monday. He urged students to ìfollow the exampleî of the nationís veterans during these ìscary times.î

The impending conflict, Kennedy said, was a battle between freedom and fear.

Looking back on World War II and the Allied invasion of France, Kennedy said the troops who went ashore at Normandy in June of 1944 carried with them the faith that they were fighting for all mankind.

In todayís conflict, Kennedy said U.S. troops have again been given the opportunity, responsibility and privilege ìto fight for freedomî and will be doing their part in helping ìlight the world.î

Quoting from the president, Kennedy said the United States was the home and defender of freedom.

The congressman joined a field of legislative and locally elected officials who attended Mondayís program. The event was sponsored by the Scandia-Marine Lions Club. Lions from Forest Lake and Watertown, where Kennedy is a member, were also on hand.

During the visit, Kennedy presented each student with the 50-page Liberty Day booklet. The booklet contains the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Kennedy is state chair of the Liberty Day Program.

Veterans from Chisago Lakes VFW Post 7267 were on hand to post the colors and lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

The event is a celebration of Madisonís life and his birth on March 16, 1751.

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