Published: July 04, 2008 08:45 pm         

Independence rings in Parke ceremony

ROCKVILLE — The sound of liberty rang throughout the hallways of the Parke County Courthouse and the nation, as chimes from a national bell-ringing ceremony commemorating Independence Day and the original 13 colonies filled the air Friday.

The Parke County Courthouse bell atop the building rang 13 times and a firing squad stationed on the outside steps let off 13 rounds at 2 p.m. in remembrance of the 13 colonies. This ceremony dates back to the 1960s when the Philadelphia-based Sons of the American Revolution and Congress passed a bill that coordinated the national bell-ringing ceremony in honor of the United States independence.

Rockville celebrated the ceremonious honor more than 30 years after it began. A crowd gathered in the hall of thecourthouse to watch the bell ceremony’s accompanying events that included an invocation by Don Smock, Sons of the American Revolution chaplain, a singing of the national anthem by Brittney Ledford, and a presentation on the origination of Taps by Gene Printz, Sons of the American Revolution.

A reading of the Declaration of Independence by Robert Foor and a speech on who was responsible for the success of the American Revolution by David Lash also were given.

After Lash’s speech, the crowd joined in a silent prayer and awaited the bell ringing by Don Pruner, courthouse bell keeper.

Pruner said he appreciates the opportunity to ring the courthouse bell in the national ceremony.

“It’s a real pleasure,” Pruner said. “If it hadn’t been for the people before us we wouldn’t be here. The history behind it means a lot to me.”

Printz said the ceremony is a personal one for him because he has family that fought for America’s freedom.

“I have ten ancestors that fought in the Revolutionary War that I know of,” Printz said. “What they did changed the way the world looks on freedom and democracy.”

Many of the attendees dressed up for the occasion. Nancy Kapperman and Printz’s wife, Sharon Printz, were dressed to honor their Quaker roots, while Seba Case donned a full colonial outfit complete with a hat. He said he thought his clothing fit the day’s theme.

Flags from the past also were on display. Case sat with a colonial flag donning 13 stars in the form of a circle firmly in his grips for the entire ceremony, only letting go of the flagpole when military veterans were asked to stand. The World War II veteran said Independence Day is special to him.

“My birthday is on the fourth [of July], and I have a grandson whose birthday is on the fourth also.” Case said. “I tell people you can’t get more patriotic than that, luck of the Irish I guess.”

Lash said good fortune — not luck — was at the root of America’s win over the British. He spoke about the reasoning behind the colonial victory in the Revolutionary War. A higher power was behind the overmatched colonials triumphant win, Lash said.

“The British came up against a more powerful force than just the colonist,” Lash said. “That major force was the same one that had created the universe. Let us now look at why the British failed and the Americans succeeded, it all has to do with your faith in God.”

Sharon Printz said her ancestors came to America to worship the way they wanted, and the freedom her family gained in the United States is something to treasure.

“Anyone that’s in America, just has to love and appreciate this country,” Printz said, “for the people that were here before us that fought for our freedom and those that still fight for our freedom, because freedom isn’t free. You have to work for it, you have to fight for it.”

DeAntae Prince can be reached at (812)231-4214 or deantae.prince@tribstar.com.