Charters of Freedom Setting

Published on November 06, 2026

Citizens of Sampson County, NC, continued the ongoing celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, and got a head start on Veterans Day recognitions, with the unveiling and dedication of their very own permanent full-scale replicas of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights, which are roughly the same size as the originals in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

The setting also includes a donor recognition pedestal and a display of the Civil Rights Amendments, which is based on a document that was commissioned by Foundation Forward, Inc. of Burke County, NC to include the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 24th Amendments which abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, gave voting rights to all citizens (male and female), and eliminated the Poll Tax. The pedestals that hold the documents were covered by red, white, and blue drapes prior to the festivities, which created a sense of enthusiasm as the crowd gathered. Music played as people took their seats.

The ceremony began at 9:30 AM, with opening remarks from Clinton Mayor Pro Tem Marcus O. Becton. Media outlets were in attendance, and we greatly appreciate their coverage of this wonderful event. Rev. Thaddeus Godwin, who is the Sampson County commissioner, gave a moving invocation. The Presentation of Colors was conducted by the Clinton High School JROTC Color Guard. A beautiful rendition of The National Anthem was performed by Sampson County Board of Elections Chairman, Dwight Williams, followed by Sampson County IT Department Director, Chris Raynor, leading the group of attendees in The Pledge of Allegiance. Board of Commissioners Chairman, Allen McLamb, stepped up to the podium and thanked elected officials and community leaders who were in attendance, before acknowledging the importance of our founding documents and the significance of having them in the community.

The ceremony then shifted to a presentation by Foundation Forward, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with communities across the country to build these Charters of Freedom settings. Foundation Forward’s Director, Mike Unruh, recognized City and County officials and staff who worked with the organization to bring this display to Sampson County, and also led in planning today’s ceremony. Mr. Unruh then introduced the members of their team who were in attendance, including Perry & Connie Snider, Larry & Amanda Coffey, Holly Starnes, and Jeff Morse, before encouraging the crowd to be sure to sign their names on the official sign-in sheets that will later be sealed inside a time capsule with letters from community leaders, photos, videos, and other archival memorabilia from the community. This capsule will be opened on September 17th, 2087, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution.“Our hope is that our future generations, our future leaders, will come from these communities that have their own Charters of Freedom setting. That their kids will grow up no longer just talking about the Constitution and Bill of Rights in Washington. They will be talking about their Constitution and their Bill of Rights, the ones they grew up with right here in Sampson County.” Some of those future leaders who are here today may be the same ones to open this very time capsule and read their names along with those of their ancestors.As the speech continued, Unruh told the story of how the organization’s founders, Vance and Mary Jo Patterson visited the National Archives in Washington, D.C. nearly 15 years ago, and were so moved by the experience that it inspired them down a path that would lead to the creation of a nonprofi t that has since built and dedicated 83 of these displays across the United States. The display in Sampson County is number 84 nationwide, and is the 50th in North Carolina. Twenty other states also have these settings, including Alaska, Florida, California, and New York, among others.

Foundation Forward, Inc. was established with the three principles of “providing education on American History and Civics so people know how the government is supposed to work, providing easy access to see the documents in a local setting, and providing communities a place to honor and reflect”. It is the organization’s goal to place these documents in all 3,143 counties, boroughs, parishes, independent cities, and census zones in the United States over the course of the next ten years! “Now, let me ask you”; Unruh said to the crowd. “Are you ready to become a part of history? Because we’re going to dedicate YOUR Charters of Freedom setting and it’s going to be here for the next 300 to 500 years and your future generations are gonna know that you were here.” “We believe it gives us a direct link to our founding fathers by helping to preserve what it is they gave this country - a government to serve and protect we the people,” Mr. Unruh noted. “Two of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, were big proponents of education. They believed that in order to have a free and independent country you must fi rst understand how the government works. That you cannot control what you do not understand.” Unruh challenged the crowd to bring their children and friends to the Charters of Freedom and “tell them about how their freedoms and rights give them an advantage over the rest of the world to pursue their passion, to chase their dreams, to accomplish their goals and get out of life what it is they want to get out of life.”

Mike Unruh presented signed certificates commemorating the event to Clinton Mayor Pro Term Marcus Becton and Sampson County Manager Allen Vann , before reading aloud a description of each of the seven Articles of the Constitution with an accompanying drum snare from Remy Maccioli. After each Article was read, it was followed by an emphatic ceremonial cannon volley that echoed in the distance. To conclude the celebrations, Mr. Unruh announced; “Children, Veterans, and all Citizens of Sampson County; we give you YOUR CHARTERS OF FREEDOM”! The drapes were removed, unveiling the shiny stainless steel documents. The entire crowd assembled behind the setting and posed for group photos before taking their time to appreciate the display individually.

For more information, please visit www.chartersoffreedom.com or call 828-522-1400.

Press Release provided by the Charters of Freedom, edited by the Sampson County PIO.

Clinton High School JROTC Color Guard

Sampson County Board of Commissioner Chairman Allen McLamb

Foundation Forward’s Director Mike Unruh

Group Picture