On Sunday, September 16, 2018, community members gathered at The First Congregational Church of Porterville to celebrate the beginning of Constitution Week.  This event  is co-sponsored by the Alta Mira Chapter NSDAR.

Boy Scout Troop #132 presented a program on the flags of the United States. It was narrated by Senior Patrol Leader Connar Wolfe. There was music by the Porterville Strings and the Community Bell Choir. Former CAR member, Justin Witt,  led a community sing-along.  CAR member, Shyanne Rainey, played the guitar and both Shyanne and CAR member, Samantha Rainey, led the audience in reciting the American Creed and the Preamble to the Constitution. Together Samantha and Shyanne presented the poem  ”Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson in song and voice.

Elected officials were on hand to read Proclamations recognizing Constitution Week. Presenting were Porterville Mayor Milt Stowe, District 5 County Supervisor Mike Ennis, and Assemblyman Devon Mathis. The proclamation from the City of Lindsay was on display.  Congressman Kevin McCarthy sent a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to the Alta Mira Chapter.

At 4 o’clock , the time on September 16, 1787 when the Constitution was signed, the church bells, the bells of the Community Bell Choir and audience members’ bells rang out. The program ended with the playing of taps by bugler John Valdez. Participants and audience members gathered in the Social Hall for refreshments following the program. It was a patriotic event to celebrate the kickoff of Constitution Week!