Andy McKean, a former Peace Corps volunteer, has been to more than 100 countries. He and his wife, Kathy, were in Sterling today, promoting "Liberty Day."
County asked to support upcoming Liberty Day activities
By EDDIE HIBBS III, Journal-Advocate News Editor
How well do you know the Constitution of the United States?
Local residents will soon have an opportunity to find out just how much they do know, because of efforts started eight years ago by Andy McKean.
McKean, a former Peace Corps volunteer, has been to more than 100 countries. He and his wife, Kathy, were in Sterling today, promoting "Liberty Day." His first stop was at the Logan County Board of County Commissioners for their weekly meeting and he was seeking moral, rather than financial support.
"We're privately funded, but we do need your support in getting behind this project," McKean said. "For this to work, we're asking the commissioners to lead the charge."
Liberty Day is officially March 16, which happens to be James Madison's birthday. Madison is called the "Father of the Constitution"; March is "Liberty Month."
"Our goal is the preservation of our way of life," he told commission. "America is the shining light - the model for the rest of the world. I'm hear to ask you to do whatever you can to promote the Constitution."
McKean is hoping for year-round activities with the focus on students and children. He did quiz the dozen individuals on the room, asking for the five rights granted in the First Amendment.
Three words stump many
Help was needed in ascertaining all five: Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to peaceably assembly and to petition the government.
The right to bear arms, which is commonly mistaken as a First Amendment privilege, is granted under the Second Amendment.
McKean hopes local schools will join the program in which students, known as "Liberty Day Kids," question adults about their knowledge about the Constitution. The students, usually between nine and 11 years old, have specially-designed red T-shirts with a Betsy Ross flag on one side and a Liberty Bell on the other. The children carry a book bag decorated with an American flag, filled with pocked-sized Liberty Day pamphlets and questionnaires.
The questions students ask adults pertain to facts about the Constitution with "nothing political," according to McKean.
One of the statements read by McKean was the following: "The Declaration was the promise; the Constitution was the fulfillment. The Revolution bought our freedom, but the Constitution lets us keep it."
Another question often asked by the students to unsuspecting adults is "What are the first three words of the Constitution?"
"We the People" should know.
Other stops today by the McKeans included the Lions Club at lunch, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tim Edgar this afternoon as well as a stop at Northeastern Junior College.
"Liberty Day is about kids who study those documents and quiz adults," McKean said. "Be prepared."
