A public reading of the Declaration of Independence was recently presented in Hesperia by the America250MI organization. The group collaborated with the Historical Society of Michigan, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the American Legion, the Girl Scouts of America and the Boy Scouts of America for the reading.
The program started with an introduction from America250MI.org partner Bob Tazelaar, a welcome from Village President Mike Farber, the presentation of colors ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance by the Hesperia American Legion and the local scout troops, and the singing of the National Anthem by Maya Beyer. The Preamble, Grievances and Declaration were then read by Laurel Sawyer, Regent of the DAR - Michigan Dunes Chapter; Nancy Rakosky of the DAR – Michigan Dunes Chapter; and Hesperia High School students Carter Fuentes and Lacey Mey. The program ended with remarks from State Representative Joseph Fox and Congressman John Moolenaar.
The event also included patriotic music by Sounds R Us, a brief history of the Native American tribes that were settled in the region, as well as handouts with information about Chief Cobmoosa, a prominent Native American chief who lived in the Oceana County area. Attendees also went home with pocket-sized booklets of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
