Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
Beneath the stately columns of the historic Elmore County Courthouse, the community gathered on May 17 to celebrate the ideals that shaped the nation and to preserve a piece of local history for generations yet to come.
The Charters of Freedom ceremony, the 11th event in Elmore County’s America 250 observance, brought together community leaders, veterans, historians and families in downtown Wetumpka for a program honoring the nation’s founding documents and the local citizens who helped make the monument a reality.
The ceremony began with the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance by the Color Guard. Circuit Court Judge Patrick Pinkston then reflected on the significance of the Charters of Freedom display, while also sharing the deeply personal story behind its creation.
“In the next few moments, I will share with you a piece of recent Elmore County history on point about our purpose here today,” Pinkston said. “I speak now of a nineth generation Elmore Countian, who at the age of 12, took significant and meaningful action that will influence countless people for many people for many years to come.”
Pinkston told the audience that his son, David Everett Pinkston, known as Rhett, conceived the monument as part of his Eagle Scout service project while researching ideas in 2018 and 2019.
The display outside the courthouse is a carefully crafted replica of the monument found in Washington, D.C., featuring the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
“The Elmore County Commission fully embraced the project, and with the help of them and many others, we now have this beautiful, historic setting of our founding documents,” Pinkston said.
Pinkston said Rhett was especially honored that a copy of his May 11, 2021, dedication speech would be included in the time capsule placed during Saturday’s ceremony.
“He is thrilled to be a part of our local history,” Pinkston said.
Pinkston also reminded attendees of the enduring importance of the nation’s founding documents.
“There are moments in the life of a nation when documents become more than ink and parchment,” he said. “They become memories, they become conviction. They become a people’s declaration to history about who they are, what they believe, and what they are willing to defend.”
Following Pinkston’s remarks, the Sons of the American Revolution inducted three new members into the General John Archer Elmore Chapter.
Chapter President Kevin Lawrence explained the organization’s purpose.
“Our mission of the S.A.R. is on a revolutionary war patriot ancestors by promoting patriotism, serving our communities, educating, inspiring future generations, about our founding principles of our country, as the judge talked about,” Lawrence said.
The ceremony also highlighted the placement of a time capsule that will remain sealed for 61 years.
Gardner Perdue, a retired Alabama Army National Guard chief warrant officer 4, assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 50, member of the Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission and owner of Skate Zone of Wetumpka, spoke about the significance of preserving today’s stories for future residents. Perdue said he also plans to open SnoBiz at Skate Zone.
“Judge Pinkston told us about our monument that we had here, and it was begun as an eagle scout service project,” Perdue said. “So, seven years back is when this event started and then COVID hit. In 61 years, this time capsule will open. People just like us will open and have a taste of where we were then. If you have not had a chance to take a moment and look outside, and you will see the impact that scouting has made on the community.”
After Perdue’s remarks, attendees stepped outside to watch as the time capsules were placed inside a vault near the Charters of Freedom monument. The program concluded with a musket salute from the Color Guard, echoing across downtown Wetumpka and tying the present-day ceremony to the sacrifices of the nation’s earliest patriots.
As Elmore County continues its America 250 celebration, Sunday’s ceremony served as a reminder that history is not only something to be remembered, it is something each generation is called to preserve, protect and pass forward.
