America’s Birthday Celebrates 250 Years of Liberty

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – City of Beacon Mayor, Honorable Lee Kyriacou, relayed how he had just become extremely emotionally touched, feeling the tears brewing, as he listened to patriotic songs at a recent event; on the verge of reciting passages from the Declaration of Independence, those same, intense feelings were very likely to surface.

“This is a very real honor,” Kyriacou-flanked by a red, white and blue clad Confederate Soldier- told a room full of attentive guests inside of the very fitting setting, the Veterans Memorial Building, on 413 Main Street Saturday morning. “I’m not sure if I will get through reading this (document) without being choked up.”

After explaining how the historic, timeless Declaration was divided into three parts: the right to declare independence from the King, the list of 27 grievances-reasons, and the Declaration itself, Kyriacou proceeded to clearly articulate those infamous words, as his voice led up to a crescendo of heartfelt trembling.

The reading, which highlighted Saturday’s late morning, one hour gathering, was one of several events held throughout Beacon by its all-volunteer REV250 Committee. Welcoming in attendees was John MacEnroe, Retired Army Officer as well as Co-Chair, Beacon REV 250 Committee.

“We want to continue the tradition of bringing the community together,” said MacEnroe, who also outlined some of the other REV250 happenings: the BonfireWORKS Foundation’s “REV250 Illuminated,” Madam Brett Homestead Ice Cream Social, a 1776 musical, as well as “Cannons & Cocktails: The Declaration of Independence, also at the Veteran Memorial Building Site. “I’m so excited to see so many people here, inside of this historic building.”

One of those people was Colonel Seanegan Sculley, Associate Professor Department of History and War Studies United States Military Academy, West Point, providing detailed information on the background and enduring legacy of the “not flawless” Declaration of Independence. Explaining how five “imperfect” men formed the original committee to draft the timeless document and Thomas Jefferson being selected as the one person to craft it in two weeks, Sculley went on to relay how its Resolution passed by the margin of 12:1. Carrying two chief goals: to inspire and assist soldiers as well as convince foreign powers to join the United States’ vision, the document worked on both levels, forging its timeless mark, not so much for why the U.S. wanted to be part of the Union, but for its Preamble content.

“The Declaration of Independence is not a goal to achieve but a vision for political revolution that continues on today and each generation has a chance to work towards,” said Sculley.”As you listen to its content, think about that vision and what we want our country to be; for me, the American Revolution never really ended.”

In addition to Mayor Kyriacou articulating the Declaration’s passages, Ruth Danon, Poet Laureate City of Beacon and Dutchess County, also recited another patriotic piece, her poem, “Nebraska,” specifically crafted for this day. Referring to her Argentinean heritage as well as hearty Westerns television viewing as a child, Danon explained the impetus for her poem’s title. Divided into distinct sections, its content included references to the Declaration itself, war and what patriotism is.

The approximately hour long event also had a powerful singing rendition of the National Anthem, provided by Sophia Kyriacou as well as a special Greek-rooted-phyllo dough, spiced walnuts and butter dessert treat: baklava (compliments of the Kyriacou family) along with beverages and REV250 paraphernalia to enjoy. All together, the event truly encapsulated one of the top goals-even beyond patriotism- of America 250: Community coming together, resulting in lasting bonds and treating one another with kindness and compassion.