SEBASTIAN — On May 13th the Exchange Club of Sebastian dedicated the Freedom Shrine collection to Sebastian Charter Junior High School. Dr. Martha McAdams and assistant principal Marvel Nolan led the assembly of students in the all purpose room. Adam Preuss, long time member of Sebastian Exchange, delivered the dedication speech, telling students of the history of the documents.
In 1947, there was a traveling exposition of historic American documents that toured the United States shortly after World War II, fondly referred to as the Freedom Train. Two years later and over 70 years ago, the National Exchange Club began to install permanent displays of the most significant of these historical documents in communities throughout the nation, so that all Americans would have access to their rich heritage. The Sebastian Exchange Club is proud to install this display at Sebastian Charter Junior High School.
Today, thousands of Freedom Shrines have been dedicated to and are displayed proudly in our schools and universities, libraries, government buildings and other public places. The Freedom Shrine includes 32 documents, such as: The Mayflower Compact, The Declaration of Independence; The United States Constitution, The Bill of Rights, The Gettysburg Address, The Emancipation Proclamation; U.S. Constitution’s 13th and 19th Amendments, and many more.
The Exchange Club of Sebastian has chosen to dedicate several of these shrines to local schools in order to help children learn about the courage, dedication and sacrifice of the country’s forefathers. It is Sebastian Exchange’s hope that by having such an upfront and personal exposure to these documents, young people will better understand and appreciate the freedoms that are too often taken for granted.
The Exchange Club of Sebastian is group of community members who gather every Wednesday (except the first Wednesday of each month) at Captain Hiram’s at 12 p.m. They are dedicated to Community Service, Americanism, Youth Activities and the National Exchange Club mantra, The Prevention of Child Abuse. Other like-minded persons are always welcome. Consider joining them for lunch sometime, and get involved in community service through Exchange.