Friday, July 4, 2008 11:03 PM CDT
Letter carrier, EIU official ring bell at RW&B Days
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — Questions: 1. What federal post was held by Charleston’s namesake, Charles Morton?; 2. What incoming president paid his last visit to Charleston in 1859?; 3. What would Eastern Illinois State Normal School ultimately become?
Answers: 1. Morton was appointed postmaster in 1830 for the area that would soon become Coles County; 2. Abraham Lincoln; 3. Eastern Illinois University.
The history of the Charleston Post Office, Lincoln, and Eastern were honored Friday afternoon during the annual bell ringing ceremony at Red, White & Blue Days. The ceremony tied in with the festival’s theme, Celebrate Charleston: Red, White & True.”
Morton Park’s Liberty Bell replica was rang by Mike Janes, a letter carrier and union steward at the post office; Randy Jackson, a site services specialist at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site; and Blair Lord, provost and vice president for academic affairs at EIU.
The post office was selected to be honored due to its long history and its continuing service to the community. Letter carriers collected approximately 7,400 pounds of food this year for the Charleston Food Pantry as part of their annual food drive.
“The food drive is something we take a lot of pride in each year,” Janes said.
Janes said it is an honor for the post office to be invited to take part in ringing the Liberty Bell. He said the solemn ceremony provides an opportunity for people to stop and think about the sacrifices that have made Independence Day possible.
Lincoln Log Cabin was selected to be honored because it represents Lincoln’s ties to the Charleston area. The historic site recreates the 1840s home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, where the future president visited periodically.
Jackson said the historic site is staffed with the help of approximately 150 volunteers, including costumed interpreters known as Volunteer Pioneers. They take part in the Fourth of July parade every year during Red, White & Blue Days.
During Friday’s ceremony, Jackson was dressed as prosperous 1840s farmer Levi Esquire “Squire” Hall as he rang the Liberty Bell.
“I am very honored. It’s quite an honor to be asked,” Jackson said.
Eastern was selected because of its long history in Charleston, which was selected in 1895 to host the school, and because of its continuing mission of education.
Lord said he was glad to see Eastern’s heritage in Charleston recognized during the ceremony. He said Red, White & Blue Days is another way the the campus and the rest of the community can continue to build upon their good relationship together.
During the parade, Lord rode with the Fourth of July Committee entry and marveled at the community turnout.
“The entire route of the parade was pretty well lined with people,” Lord said.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.
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