LET FREEDOM RING — Among those participating in the “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony on July 4 at the Capitol in Nashville were, from left, Gen. Bertram Chalfant, Rick D. Hollis, John D. Witherspoon, M.D., and David L. Whaley.
By DAVID L. WHALEY
Special to the Banner
On July 4, the noon church bells of Nashville ushered in the 2010 “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony on the State Capitol grounds.
Statues of Andrew Johnson to the east and Andrew Jackson to the west stood as silent sentinels for the somber, joyous event.
More than 100 patriotic Tennesseans gathered in the shade of a gigantic walnut tree and the surrounding magnolias to listen to Gen. Bertram Chalfant, Col. John Donaldson Chapter president, Tennessee Society of Sons of the Revolution, and master of ceremonies. The ceremony’s 10 anniversary.
Color guard, piper, drum and fife corps, bugler, all played an integral part and set the stage for the Rev. John Steen, TNSSAR chaplain’s invocation and benediction.
P. Duncan Calliott, a colonel ancestor and of Nashville’ s settlement, followed by TNSSR president David Whaley presented the history of the Liberty Bell.
At precisely 2 p.m. EDT, the replica bell was struck by John D. Witherspoon, M.D., a descendant of and namesake for Declaration of Independence signer John Witherspoon, while Chalfant recited names of the 13 colonies in order of their ratification.
Members of several related societies were present, including the Sons of t he Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Society of the Cincinnati, Colonial Dames, First Families of Tennessee, Order of Founders and Patriots, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Daughters of Confederate Veterans, Over Mountain Victory Trail Association, Society of the War of 1812 and Gov. John Sevier Memorial Association.
On July 4, the noon church bells of Nashville ushered in the 2010 “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony on the State Capitol grounds.
Statues of Andrew Johnson to the east and Andrew Jackson to the west stood as silent sentinels for the somber, joyous event.
More than 100 patriotic Tennesseans gathered in the shade of a gigantic walnut tree and the surrounding magnolias to listen to Gen. Bertram Chalfant, Col. John Donaldson Chapter president, Tennessee Society of Sons of the Revolution, and master of ceremonies. The ceremony’s 10 anniversary.
Color guard, piper, drum and fife corps, bugler, all played an integral part and set the stage for the Rev. John Steen, TNSSAR chaplain’s invocation and benediction.
P. Duncan Calliott, a colonel ancestor and of Nashville’ s settlement, followed by TNSSR president David Whaley presented the history of the Liberty Bell.
At precisely 2 p.m. EDT, the replica bell was struck by John D. Witherspoon, M.D., a descendant of and namesake for Declaration of Independence signer John Witherspoon, while Chalfant recited names of the 13 colonies in order of their ratification.
Members of several related societies were present, including the Sons of t he Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Society of the Cincinnati, Colonial Dames, First Families of Tennessee, Order of Founders and Patriots, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Daughters of Confederate Veterans, Over Mountain Victory Trail Association, Society of the War of 1812 and Gov. John Sevier Memorial Association.
