Citrus Heights Mayor, MariJane Lopez-Taff presenting Constitution Week Proclamation on behalf of the City of Citrus Heights. Photo courtesy of NSDAR

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - On Sept. 17, the General John A. Sutter Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) celebrated Constitution Week with the Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights. The event honored the 239th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and brought together veterans, local officials and community members to recognize this milestone.

The celebration included a luncheon served to service veteran men and women, fostering camaraderie and appreciation for those who have protected American freedoms. The historic Veterans Community Center, located on the original site of the 1862 Sylvan School, provided a meaningful setting for the day’s activities.

Veterans of Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center Ringing the Sylvan School Bell for the Bells Across America commemoration. Photo courtesy of NSDAR

Civic leaders marked the occasion with Constitution Week Proclamations presented by Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff and Mark Cullum, district director for California State Assemblyman Josh Hoover. The highlight of the ceremony was the traditional “Ringing of the Bells” at 4 p.m., a symbolic tribute to the Constitution’s enduring legacy. Bells called the people of Philadelphia together on Sept. 17, 1787, for the first public reading of the new U.S. Constitution.

The annual observance of Constitution Week, held Sept. 17–23, originated from a 1955 NSDAR petition to Congress. This effort resulted in a joint resolution, signed into public law on Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, establishing Constitution Week as a national observance.

Members of the General John A. Sutter Chapter, NSDAR from left are Susan Broderick, Debbie Agee, Carolyn Klein, Linda Shannon serving lunch to the veterans. Photo courtesy of NSDAR