Although most Americans are familiar with the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America and could probably repeat it in unison, many would have the same difficulty Barney Fife had in repeating it alone.

Such is not the case for the members of the Oliver Wiley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Reciting the Preamble to the Constitution is a part of the DAR’s ritual and is deeply embedded in the belief of the members that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for the American way of life. The Oliver Wiley Chapter’s September meeting highlighted Constitution Week, which will be celebrated nationwide September 17-23. The meeting began with “We the people ….” Maj. General Walter Givhan, USAF Retired, was the guest speaker and he, like the DAR members, had no difficulty in reciting ‘the Preamble.”

“The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America is poetic,” he said. “The language is eloquent. It is inspiring. It is poetry. ” Givhan said the wording gives hope and promise to all Americans.

“Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, secure the blessings of liberty,” he said. “There’s no better way to ordain and establish a country’s Constitution.”
However, Givhan said the Constitution of the United States of America is not a static document.

“It has to be looked at constantly to determine how it relates to today,” he said. “We have to come back to it and look at how it applies to our current situations. The Constitution is a living document. It’s strong. It’s eternal.” Givhan, whose family service to country can be traced back to the Revolutionary War, said America has remained strong and will not surrender its freedoms.

“The terrorist attacks on 9/11 changed the world,” he said. “Our allies in Europe are being attacked. But we are Americans. We would not be Americans if we were not willing to take risks to insure our freedoms that are outlined in the Constitution of the United States of America.”

Givhan said even when America’s way of life is attacked, this country will never give up, never surrender living in freedom.

“That’s not the American way,” he said.   Givhan took a few minutes to talk about education and the role it plays in preparing the country for the uncertainties of an ever-changing global world. As senior vice chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development for Troy University, Givhan spoke of the town and gown relationship the university and the City of Troy enjoy.

Givhan said the university has 8,000 students enrolled this fall and that is its largest enrollment.

“Troy has 1,000 international students who bring greater understanding of and appreciation for their cultures to Troy University and the City of Troy,” he said. “Our students are enriched by this global awareness and are better prepared to be engaged and competitive in today’s global economy.”

The annual celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The DAR has also erected a structure that was built in tribute to the Constitution of the United States. DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC opened in 1929 as a performing arts center.