CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) — A copy of the Declaration of Independence made a stop in Carson City as part of a cross-country relay heading to Delaware for Thanksgiving to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Organizers said three batons — representing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — are being carried by participants along the route.
“At the core of America 250 is the Declaration of Independence, right? Nothing else happens without that, and so we wanted some symbol of that that we would be carrying along the way,” says Dave Whitson, the relay coordinator. “So, we have three batons. One is life, one is liberty, and one is pursuit of happiness, and that way different people participating each day can carry that bit of history.”
Nevadans reflect on the relay’s meaning
Nevadans who participated in the relay said they hope events like this bring the country together.
“Well, I think it’s something that ties the country together, especially when you know things are going in different directions,” one participant Tim McFarren said. “It ties us all together and reminds us what we’re here for, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Another participant, Sandy Koch, highlighted Nevada’s public lands as part of the celebration.
“I just think it’s so important to just celebrate that we have so much public land in Nevada,” says Koch. “It means everything to the citizens of this state, and I’d like to keep our public lands public.”
Nevada on the American Discovery Trail
The stop also drew attention to Nevada’s place on the American Discovery Trail. Nevada is one of only 15 states — including Washington, D.C. — on the trail.
“I hope that more people get out and see parts of it, whether you’re on it for a day or you want to tackle the whole state or the whole country,” says state coordinator for the American Discovery Trail, Samantha Szesciorka. “I just hope more people find it so that they can see how beautiful Nevada is.”
Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell said the event serves as a reminder of shared history.
“It’s so important to always remember our history and I think so often it’s forgotten and when you put events like this together it just brings us back to remember that we’re all Americans, we’re all neighbors, we’re all a community and it brings us together,” Bagwell said. “No matter what we’re just people trying to love life and our fellow people.”
What’s next for the relay
The copy of the Declaration of Independence is now making its way through Virginia City. It is expected to arrive in Utah in about two weeks.
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