In a tribute to the patriots who helped shape the nation’s founding, dozens gathered Friday morning at the towering 50-foot granite Signers’ Monument on Greene Street to honor Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Walton, Lyman Hall, and Button Gwinnett.
The 15th annual Signers’ Monument Celebration, now a Fourth of July tradition, brought together civic leaders, community members and local youth.
Children played a special role in the ceremony, ringing a ceremonial bell as the names of all 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were read aloud.
“What a great day it is to be in Augusta, celebrating the 249th anniversary of the formation of the greatest democracy on earth,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.
The event also included the reading of the first two and concluding paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence by Erick Montgomery, executive director of Historic Augusta.
Montgomery reminded attendees of the bravery and resolve shown by Georgia’s signers.
“Just think about how daring and dangerous it was for these three men, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall and George Walton, and the 53 others who joined them…they were challenging one of the most powerful monarchs and empires in the world.”
Music for the ceremony was provided by the Summerville Brass Quintet.
The event was organized by members of the General Oglethorpe Camp, Heroes of ‘76 of Clarence H. Cohen Chapter #162, National Sojourners, Inc., in conjunction with Webb Lodge #166, Martinez Lodge #710, Georgia Walton Lodge #699, and various Masonic and civic organizations.
