Citizens Compose Songs of Liberty, Study America 's Constitution Online

As we have been involved in Constitution Week and The Making of America seminars these past few months, we have been privileged to witness the talents of patriots as they have composed and performed magnificent songs of liberty. As we have been involved in Constitution Week and The Making of America seminars these past few months, we have been privileged to witness the talents of patriots as they have composed and performed magnificent songs of liberty.

One such song was written specifically for Constitution Week in Gilbert, Arizona. This celebration is now drawing eight to ten thousand citizens to its events. This song, entitled The Fortress Stone, was written and composed by Jason Barney. There is both prologue and verse:

Prologue

Since the dawn of time, tyrants have conspired to rob humanity of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In 1787, with the stroke of a pen, the founders of our great nation formed the Constitution of the United States of America. This most inspired of documents has stood for over two centuries as a protective fortress, sheltering generation after generation from those who would destroy freedom.

As we sing this song of freedom, consider our role in defending the very fortress that defends us all. Consider both its immense power, but also its fragile vulnerability. Built of ancient ink and generations of precious blood, this wall of protection is only as strong as our devotion to know, to live, and to safeguard its truths. The fortress of liberty is built stone by stone on the allegiance and resolve of “we”, the very people it protects. One by one united, we are The Fortress Stone.

Verse 1
Since time began the greed of man
Has sought to bind his brother's hand
Yet noble father's sword and pen
Built up a fortress to defend

Verse 2
Though kings and tyrants seek to reign,
And dim the light of freedom's flame,
The shelter of the fortress wall
Endures until oppression falls.

Chorus
In our soul there is a fire,
To choose the path of our desire.

From ancient ink the wall ascends,
The flame of freedom she defends.

Hear the call to raise up the wall,
Sing the song of freedom and it will not fall.

Liberty flows in the blood and the soul,
Of We the People sheltered by
The Fortress Stone, The Fortress Stone.

Verse 3
When time has past and we are gone,
Will freedom's fortress still be strong?
Would we become oppression's hand
If stone by stone we fail to stand?

Repeat chorus
Liberty flows in the blood and the soul,
Of We the People sheltered by
The Fortress Stone, The Fortress Stone

The CD containing The Fortress Stone contains all the music performed at past celebrations of Constitution Week in Gilbert, Arizona :

The Star-Spangled Banner
The Fortress Stone Prologue
The Fortress Stone
Heal Our Land
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Price for Freedom
God Bless the USA
This is My Country
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
The Pledge of Allegiance
America the Beautiful
America —the Dream Goes On

Some ideas from Gilbert, Arizona to help other communities

Gilbert Constitution Week started in 2002 at the encouragement of a local religious leader. He asked some of his congregation to consider ways to involve many others in celebrating the Constitution. The event also included a memorial to the September 11, 2001 attack, a Constitution Week Fair, a Tribute to the Founder event, and a Family Lesson.

The first event succeeded not only by educating Gilbert school children about the US Constitution, but also by motivating families to bring this great forgotten American holiday out of the shadows.

America's Forgotten Holiday

On February 29, 1952, the US Congress designated September 17 as "Citizenship Day." (36 U.S.C. 106) On August 2, 1956, Congress requested that the President of the United States proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week." (36 U.S.C. 108)

With a vision to further promote the principles of the US Constitution, the Committee expanded the celebration throughout the whole city with involvement from other patriotic groups and Gilbert-based faith organizations.

In 2003, the Constitution Week celebration added the Family Home Evening lesson and an expanded Saturday evening Fair. Distinguished characters from the Colonial Era visited approximately 40,000 students within the Town of Gilbert. 2004 brought continued expansion to the celebration by adding a Scout Night where hundreds of Gilbert Boy Scouts worked on Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge.

The Constitution Week Fair continued to grow and be the highlight of the week-long celebration. At the Fair, replicas of the White House, Capital, Supreme Court Building, Washington Monument, and Independence Hall were displayed. Further, many children and youth participate through performance, activities, and other ways that promote the Constitution. Notable others took part, including:

2003 – Congressman Jeff Flake goes back in time to visit with Benjamin Franklin

2004 –Secretary of Education – Rod Paige with a special tribute to our soldiers

2005 –Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Conner presided over a naturalization service for 52 legal immigrants

2006 –Benjamin Franklin celebrates his 300th Birthday and Lee Greenwood, a Nashville star, performed a live concert performing his smash single, “God Bless the USA.”

Thanks to the many citizens of Gilbert and generous sponsors, Constitution Week has now become the largest celebration of the US Constitution in America. We look forward to many more years of celebrating the principles of liberty of the US Constitution.

Over 300 attend seminars in Idaho Falls

Recently, a local organization in Idaho Falls called, “The Title of Liberty,” gathered over 300 citizens into a beautiful lecture hall on the extension campus of Idaho State University to hear The Making of America Seminar and The Principles of Liberty Seminar. A magnificent song entitled The Title of Liberty was sung by talented Barry Hansen:

The Title of Liberty
I see what's happening
I can't deny
Freedoms are falling
I can hear their stifled cries
My heart is burning
My mind is churning
I've got to find a way
To raise my voice today

I love my country
I love the Lord
I know He'll help me
If I try to live His word
I'm just one person
One voice in a million
Not sure what I can do
But one voice, clear and true

I'll raise my banner
I'll fly my flag
So we'll remember
Not to let our courage lag
Under this flag
We will unite

The Title of Liberty, bold and bright

I think of freedom
The family I love
Faith in my Savior
Who is watching from above
These are what matter
Above all the clamor
With them we have peace
Without them it will cease

I raise my banner
For all to see
Look at it waving
It's the way to liberty
Will you stand tall
Will you be true
The Title of Liberty calls to you

We'll raise our standard
Throughout the land
On every tower
Now's the hour to make a stand
For all that's good
Here and abroad
The Title of Liberty
We love our liberty
We stand for liberty under God

Lyrics by Barry Hansen, music by Greg Hansen
Copyright 2004 BMI and Barry Hansen Music

Constitutional Seminars increasing throughout the nation

A noticeable increase in seminar requests suggest that people are turning once again to America's roots to find answers to America's problems. We will be sharing more information in future letters and on our website. We have had inquiry from states from coast to coast and are planning a major expansion of activity.

American Government and Constitution, Part I Study Course now Online

Heritage Academy, a public, charter high school in Mesa, Arizona, has put a semester-long study course on The 5000 Year Leap online for the whole world to study. Any student who completes the course will be given a transcript showing one-half credit from Heritage Academy. This school is accredited by North Central Association and Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.

This course contains 27 lessons covering the 28 Principles of Liberty in great detail. Each lesson contains the elements as in the example below. The video instruction contains PowerPoint notes to help the student master the important points of instruction.

Reading assignment - Principle 1
Study questions to answer - Principle 1
Video instruction, Principle 1 (30 minutes)
Quiz - Principle 1, Natural Law
Find a current issue

The study questions, and current issue assignments are uploaded to the instructor for grading. The quizzes and two examinations are computer graded. A running grade of all assignments keeps the student aware of his progress through the course.

In order to further test this online course, we are offering the opportunity for several students to enroll in the course, complete the assignments, and receive an accredited transcript for only the purchase of the textbook, The 5000 Year Leap. If a student already has the textbook, there will be no charge for the course during this test period. We invite those who would like to participate on this basis to login to the website www.halearn.com to begin and, if necessary, to communicate with me at my email address, etaylor@mstar.net.

Sincerely,

Earl Taylor, Jr.