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The City of Suffolk held a special ceremony honoring the U.S. Constitution Monday, Sept. 11.

Mayor Michael D. Duman joined members of the Constantia Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, to proclaim Constitution Week from Sunday, Sept. 17 through Saturday, Sept. 23. 

Duman read the proclamation alongside Constantia DAR member Stephanie Loper and Constantia Vice Regent Karen Hedrick.

“Now, therefore, I, Michael D. Duman, Mayor of the City of Suffolk, Virginia, do hereby proclaim Sept. 17 through 23, 2023, as Constitution Week in Suffolk, Virginia and urge all citizens to study the Constitution and reflect on the privileges, rights and responsibilities of being an American,” Duman read during the presentation. “In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Suffolk to be affixed this 11th day of September in the year of our Lord, 2023.”

Following the proclamation, Loper said it meant a lot for city officials to honor those who fought for the nation’s independence.

“I feel that it’s great because…we have a history,” Loper said. “We’re actually presenting it to the younger generation, to continue our generation of the constitution week and continue what our founding fathers [have] done for us.”

Duman also discussed the proclamation’s importance, especially on the 22nd anniversary of the events of Sept. 11. 

“It is especially fitting that we are choosing 9/11 to recognize this proclamation. I think the proclamation itself, there’s one sentence that sums it up, in that we urge all citizens to study the constitution and, more importantly, reflect on the privileges, rights, and responsibilities of being an American,” Duman said. “And I think lots of times, we do not appreciate everything that we have in this country, and this gives us an opportunity to reflect upon it, really based on the constitution and that particular document. And what an integral part it is in our everyday life.”

DAR is a community service organization made up of the descendants of those who fought for independence in the American Revolutionary War.