SHELTON — Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti Proclaims Constitution Week September 17-23, 2026
Mayor Mark A. Lauretti proclaimed September 17-23, 2026 Constitution Week and presented the Proclamation to Ripton Parish Chapter, DAR Regent Christine Schmied. The mayor noted that September 17, 2026, is the 239th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention.
Mayor Lauretti noted that the Constitution is the guardian of our liberties and embodies the principles of limited government in a Republic dedicated to rule by law. He urged all citizens to study the Constitution and reflect on the privilege of being an American with all the rights and responsibilities which that privilege involves.
Regent Schmied thanked the mayor on behalf of the members of Shelton’s Ripton Parish Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. In August 2025 when 15 members of the historic Derby DAR chapter left to organize a Shelton DAR chapter, we chose Ripton Parish as the name of Shelton’s new chapter because of those ancestors who fought for our freedom during the American Revolution 250 years ago.
Regent Schmied noted the tradition of celebrating Constitution Week was begun by the DAR in 1955. The United States of America is the first country in the world where its own citizens created a Democratic Republic. In a time when monarchs ruled their subjects, this government in service to its citizens, who are equal in creation and under the law, was revolutionary. Shelton’s Ripton Parish Chapter also embodies the idea of equality for all.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is dedicated to promoting Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism. DAR members are women who come from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of interests. Any woman 18 years old or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove direct lineage to a Revolutionary War ancestor is eligible to join.
For more information, visit https://www.dar.org/
For information on Ripton Parish Chapter, NSDAR, Inc. visit https://riptonparishchapter.org/
To learn more about America250! Visit https://www.dar.org/national-society/america-250/america250-foundation-partner
This submission is from Ripton Parish Chapter, NSDAR, Inc.