00:01 - The following program celebrates america's two hundred fiftieth in Pennsylvania.

00:12 - Good morning.

00:15 - Applying to your county register of wills and clerk of orphans court

00:19 - and i'm pleased to serve as the chairman of history made here your county

00:22 - and as the York county representative to america two fifty p a today we gathered

00:27 - together to dedicate the placement of York's semi quince centennial bell

00:31 - a bronze permanent member commemoration highlighting

00:34 - this historically significant place in American history

00:37 - campus security.

00:39 - This location was chosen as we celebrate history made here and the major role that

00:43 - York county played in the American revolution.

00:46 - We have been in celebration mode for the past year and your county

00:50 - celebrating the county's two hundred seventy fifth anniversary

00:54 - and so it's fitting that today we begin the year long celebration

00:57 - of the nation's two hundred fiftieth birthday.

01:00 - In a little less than a year we will officially celebrate the two hundred fiftieth

01:04 - anniversary of the declaration of independence from England

01:08 - but here in your county we won't stop there

01:11 - because in twenty twenty seven we have another milestone to celebrate

01:15 - the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the

01:17 - articles of confederation being signed in York.

01:21 - So thank you all for being with us today

01:23 - as we get ready to celebrate our nation's and York counties amazing history

01:28 - please join me in thanking the York youth symphony orchestra brass ensemble for it's

01:32 - wonderful renditions as we gathered here this morning

01:35 - hey.

01:42 - Next please join me in welcoming pastor bill kearney president of the black ministers

01:47 - association who will be providing our invocation

01:51 - the girl scout troops two zero four zero two and two zero nine nine six

01:56 - who meet here in spring is bray township

01:58 - will be presenting the colors following that

02:01 - we will have the pledge of allegiance led by one hundred three year old York county

02:05 - world war two veteran Robert kuhn

02:08 - and the national anthem

02:09 - sung by alumni of the York county honors choir.

02:13 - Pastor kearney.

02:15 - For.

02:21 - Conqueror.

02:23 - Script to be here

02:24 - this community event.

02:27 - Really it is god we're day.

02:30 - Listen i'm a relational tiger.

02:33 - So if you can just

02:34 - touch

02:35 - the person

02:36 - sitting next to you

02:37 - this lay a hand on him

02:39 - and just come in agreement with me as we pray.

02:43 - In regards to this.

02:46 - Dedication today

02:47 - let's look to the one is able to do exceeding

02:50 - abundantly above all we could ask to think.

02:53 - Father god we thank you.

02:55 - In all things you said

02:57 - give praise and give thanks

02:59 - so this

03:00 - morning.

03:03 - Thank you for being here.

03:05 - Thank you for your presence thank you for this

03:08 - bell dedication York county semi clean centennial.

03:13 - Bail dedication

03:15 - this is a community events lord a national event.

03:20 - A county event.

03:22 - We thank you father for your presence even right now.

03:26 - Bless as only you can do.

03:29 - Thank you father for leadership.

03:32 - Or city leadership or county leadership or state leadership.

03:36 - Those that.

03:38 - Placed this program in

03:40 - order thank you for blessing them.

03:42 - Thank you for blessing your people

03:44 - here today that are in your presence.

03:48 - We give you glory.

03:50 - We give you

03:51 - the praise and we give you the honor.

03:53 - In the named as greater than any other name

03:56 - we thank you.

03:58 - Let the people of god say man.

04:02 - Before i take my seat i dislike forced to take one

04:06 - moment.

04:07 - One moment of silence

04:10 - to lift those up that are built

04:12 - that have been

04:13 - devastated

04:14 - by the disasters that have been gone

04:17 - gone on

04:18 - throughout or our nation

04:20 - especially in Texas.

04:22 - How

04:23 - does heard one about

04:24 - one in new Mexico.

04:26 - North Carolina.

04:29 - The world

04:30 - the wars

04:31 - that are going on

04:32 - let's just take a moment of silence for those that have been devastated.

04:37 - In those disasters.

04:53 - Regular for your comfort your peace.

04:56 - Your strength

04:58 - to make it through these

04:59 - disasters that have struck our nation.

05:03 - A man.

05:11 - Audience members praised rows for their presentation

05:14 - regardless.

05:17 - Color guard attention.

05:19 - Color guard advance.

06:39 - I pledge allegiance

06:41 - to the fly.

06:43 - United states of america

06:46 - to the republic for which it stands.

06:51 - How'd your Latin

06:52 - nation for all.

06:53 - Caligari god

06:55 - i ever

06:56 - amen.

07:06 - Oh say.

07:08 - It

07:15 - was ok.

07:17 - Ng.

07:26 - Dr.

07:27 - It.

07:35 - Is three a

07:45 - if.

07:56 - It was.

08:05 - Off.

08:08 - If.

08:19 - On.

08:21 - That.

08:28 - In.

08:38 - That

08:46 - color guide page to catalyze.

08:54 - Color guys need the cameras.

09:01 - Color guy dismissed.

09:32 - Thank you pastor kearney girl scout troops two

09:35 - zero four zero two and two zero nine nine six

09:38 - mr Robert kuhn

09:39 - and your county honors choir alumni

09:41 - we very much appreciate your participation today.

09:45 - Hey

09:50 - your county is honored to welcome america to fifty pa back to this community as our

09:54 - partner in celebrating our nation's birthday

09:57 - but also for spearheading oh yes please be seated i'm sorry.

10:01 - We also thank america to fifty pa for spearheading

10:04 - the opportunity we are commemorating today

10:06 - please help me welcome america to fifty pa executive director Cassandra Coleman

10:11 - and america two fifty p a commissioner Jean Bart.

10:14 - Huh.

10:22 - Thank you so much Brian and good morning everyone i know it's a hot one

10:26 - so thanks for being with us

10:28 - on behalf of america two fifty p a and chairman pat burns

10:32 - again

10:32 - thank you for being here

10:35 - and thank you to York county

10:37 - Brian Julie and your team

10:38 - for your hard work and your dedication to making this this moment possible

10:44 - the unveiling of our third semi queen centennial bell is a proud milestone for our

10:49 - commission and it wouldn't be possible without the people here today

10:53 - who are helping to shape this commemoration across the commonwealth

10:57 - in addition to former governors Mark schwager

11:00 - and Tom corbett

11:01 - who are here today and both serve as america two fifty pa co-chairs

11:05 - i'd also like to recognize our ex officio commissioner auditor general Tim de for

11:10 - who you will hear from shortly

11:12 - and as Brian mentioned also

11:14 - gene barr who serves as an American Jew fifty pa commissioner

11:17 - and i am just so appreciative of the leadership and support from the commission

11:22 - who are truly guiding this mission as we prepare Pennsylvania

11:26 - for a once in a generation anniversary

11:29 - the bell we unveil today is one of a series that we've commissioned across

11:34 - Pennsylvania as we prepare to Mark

11:36 - two hundred and fifty years of this country's story

11:40 - each bell highlights a place where that story took root

11:44 - in remarkable and sometimes overlooked ways

11:48 - our first bell

11:49 - stands at the Dennis farm in susquehanna county where

11:52 - Denise Dennis and Darryl Gore

11:54 - helped us honor the story of free African Americans

11:57 - who built a legacy of perseverance before

12:01 - emancipation

12:02 - with even imaginable

12:04 - our second bell was placed at the hawley silk mill in

12:07 - Wayne county with the support of the gunslinger family

12:10 - it honours the immigrant women and children who fueled the engine

12:14 - of america's industrial revolution

12:17 - and now

12:18 - here in York county

12:20 - we Mark another essential chat after

12:23 - the ideals sparked by the American revolution

12:27 - freedom

12:28 - representation and shared responsibility

12:31 - didn't fade away when the war ended

12:34 - they were embraced by everyday people and carried into the lives they were rebuilding

12:39 - this site held thousands of prisoners of war

12:42 - but

12:43 - camp security closed it's materials it's logs it's stones it's scraps

12:47 - were salvaged

12:49 - by the people of York

12:50 - to kin

12:51 - who used them to continue to build something new

12:54 - some of those remnants may still stand

12:56 - in houses

12:57 - near this beautiful public space

12:59 - that's our story as pennsylvanians

13:02 - and as as Americans we carry forward the pieces of what came before us

13:08 - we use them to build

13:10 - to innovate and to remember

13:13 - this bell honours that spirit

13:15 - and it marks a turning point in our history

13:18 - and anchors that story here in the heart of York county

13:21 - it carries forward the legacy sea

13:23 - of those who lived who fought

13:25 - and persevered at a pivotal time in human history

13:29 - and it reminds us

13:30 - that their sacrifices

13:32 - made this place and this country possible

13:35 - thank you for allowing us to place this america

13:38 - fifty pa semi quince centennial bell here

13:41 - keep helping to keep

13:43 - that low legacy alive for future generations to come

13:47 - it's now my honor to introduce america to live to be a commissioner gene bar

13:51 - and thank you Cassandra

13:57 - it's a real pleasure to be here today as someone who considers themselves a student

14:01 - of American history i love places like this

14:04 - and in fact

14:05 - my

14:06 - ties to campus security go back a quarter century in an interesting way i was working

14:10 - for a law firm in Harrisburg at the time and we wound up doing some

14:13 - advocacy work and had the pleasure of that time of

14:16 - hearing about camp security and meeting Carol tangible

14:19 - corals with us here today

14:21 - and her team of people who more than a quarter century ago were busy

14:24 - trying to save this most critical site

14:27 - that helps tell one of the real important stories.

14:31 - About

14:31 - the American revolution

14:33 - and i

14:34 - give them a tremendous amount of credit for

14:36 - saving this because what we are attempting to do

14:40 - as part of the period to fifty commission is

14:42 - as Cassandra said is

14:44 - tell the stories that weren't always told

14:47 - as someone who was alive during

14:49 - the.

14:51 - Nineteen seven eighty six period yes there was a lot of Philadelphia since

14:55 - centric nis about that

14:57 - as a Philadelphia native i understand that

15:00 - but the stories that are out there.

15:03 - Are incredible and one of the things that we have gotten the

15:06 - incredible reaction on as we've traveled

15:09 - this county and particularly Cassandra and her team going everywhere.

15:13 - Is telling people we want to hear your stories this is not just

15:18 - Philadelphia it's even not just the revolution

15:20 - it's a story of a people story of a country

15:22 - a story of an idea

15:24 - a story of freedom.

15:26 - Those are the stories we want to tell

15:28 - and this one here is one of the critical ones that tells a particular story

15:32 - here in your county and in fact to me this is

15:37 - tremendously emblematic

15:39 - of what we see.

15:40 - At the epic side of educate preserve innovate and

15:44 - celebrate that the folks here at camp security

15:47 - have done this and have exemplified

15:50 - this particular ideal i congratulate them on that and

15:52 - congratulate them to continue fighting to develop this

15:55 - to tell this most critical story

15:58 - just as we've told other stories Cassandra mentioned the Dennis farm and others.

16:02 - We want to tell though those stories that weaves together a fabric of america

16:08 - of people of

16:09 - all types

16:10 - all genders or creeds all colors all racists because that is america

16:15 - and that is Pennsylvania so

16:16 - thank you all for coming out here today

16:18 - it's now my pleasure to introduce the president commissioner

16:21 - of York county of course all of you know better than i do

16:23 - a county that is older than the united states thank you.

16:27 - I.

16:40 - Good morning.

16:42 - Permit me to offer my thanks to gene

16:44 - Cassandra

16:45 - and the entire america two fifty p a team for all their help in planning this

16:49 - wonderful event and special thanks to Brian Tate who has been an incredible partner

16:55 - as representing your county on the American two fifty p a commission.

16:59 - I os

17:01 - and

17:05 - i also want to express my sincere gratitude to my friend

17:08 - passed a bill kearney for his beautiful invocation

17:12 - and to the girl scouts in the heart of Pennsylvania for their participation today.

17:16 - Your county is blessed with some truly talented musicians of all ages

17:21 - exam amplified by the York youth symphony

17:23 - orchestra brass ensemble

17:25 - and the York county honors choir a mummy.

17:28 - So thank you for donating your time

17:30 - today

17:31 - to make our ceremony extra.

17:34 - Laughs

17:37 - and moments like this

17:38 - would not be possible without financial support.

17:42 - It is with gratitude that i say thank you

17:44 - to explore York

17:46 - the Arthur j Lee are glad found a foundation

17:49 - the powder mill foundation

17:51 - and the county of York

17:52 - for the generosity that enabled us to purchase

17:55 - this beautiful semi quintet teneo bell

17:59 - but

17:59 - the unsung heroes of today ceremony

18:02 - are the spring is Barry township supervisors and staff

18:05 - who have truly made camp security park a special place

18:09 - befitting it's historical significance

18:11 - which will hear more about shortly from

18:13 - local historian Jonathan stare.

18:16 - Thank you to all the township leadership and

18:18 - staff for their hard work to make today a reality.

18:22 - Hey.

18:28 - I also want to recognize our elected officials and their representatives that are

18:31 - here in attendance today we appreciate them taking

18:34 - time out of their busy schedules to join us today

18:37 - rejoined by united states congressman Scott Perry

18:40 - Pennsylvania auditor general Tim to floor

18:42 - former Pennsylvania governor Tom corbett and Mark schwager

18:45 - Pennsylvania state senators Don keefer and Kristin Phillips hill

18:49 - Pennsylvania state representative Wendy think.

18:52 - My fellow county commissioners commissioner burford and commissioner hoke

18:56 - kirk of clerk Stan burns county controller Greg Bauer

19:00 - spring is Barry township supervisors Mark

19:02 - Swann Lee ga for iaq Bob Cox and Charles lister

19:06 - Jackson township supervisor Jonathan Holmes

19:09 - spring grove borough mayor Beverly hills

19:11 - west York borough councilman Alan Van der sloot

19:14 - your cavan borough council member Angela Garrison

19:18 - representing united states senator Dave mccormick Logan hoover

19:21 - representing the united states

19:23 - congressman Lloyd smucker

19:24 - were severely.

19:26 - Stephanie Jarvik representing state represented Kate clerk's office

19:30 - and a special thank you last but certainly not least to carrollton zola and the

19:34 - friends of camp security so thank you all for attending today

19:38 - and

19:43 - today we dedicate your county semi Quinn centennial bell

19:47 - but more than that we are here to celebrate your county's rich history as a central

19:51 - player in the great American story as we proudly

19:55 - boast York was home to the second continental congress

19:58 - from sept timber thirty of seventeen seventy seven

20:01 - to June twenty seven seventeen seventy eight.

20:04 - It was during congress's time in York that it

20:07 - drafted and adopted the articles of confederation

20:10 - often considered our first national constitution

20:13 - which bounded together our new nation as the united states of america.

20:19 - I didn't focus on this state's

20:21 - portion of that phrase

20:22 - which is understandable

20:24 - after all

20:25 - until that point

20:26 - we were effectively a fragile coalition of rebel colonies

20:31 - but we must not forget the word united.

20:33 - Emblematic of an important milestone in the journey of our nation to be combination.

20:39 - It was in York irc

20:40 - at that moment in our history

20:42 - when thirteen fragmented and loosely connected colonies made the decision to unite

20:47 - as a nation.

20:49 - As we turn our gaze to next year when we will celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth

20:53 - anniversary of these united states of america

20:56 - it is fitting to remember

20:58 - that we are still

20:59 - in many ways

21:00 - a coalition of very different states

21:03 - we bring together diverse backgrounds and

21:05 - utterly strive to become a more perfect union.

21:09 - At at times it may feel like we're anything but united

21:12 - and far from perfect

21:14 - but those are the times when we must remember the

21:17 - courage and conviction of our founding fathers

21:20 - and the two hundred and forty nine years of trail blazers and history makers.

21:25 - Make no mistake

21:26 - when the articles of confederation were adopted in York

21:29 - nearly two and a half centuries ago

21:31 - this county and country were far from united.

21:35 - There were loyalists who disagreed with the decision to leave the British crown

21:39 - and there were those who disagreed with what independence would mean.

21:43 - Not all shared a desire to join this grand experiment of a new nation.

21:48 - Some anticipated going home go to an independent country of new Hampshire

21:52 - or Virginia.

21:54 - The continental congress lived and breed that struggle

21:57 - and so that name

21:59 - the united states of america

22:01 - was likely aspirational

22:03 - inspirational

22:04 - and a compromise.

22:06 - They recognized then what we all know well today

22:09 - that the American spirit on it's own is unifying

22:13 - here in York county that uniquely American spirit of independence and innovation

22:19 - helped build this country into the greatest nation on earth

22:22 - history was made here in York county.

22:27 - American independence may have first been declared in Philadelphia

22:30 - but i would argue that the American unity

22:33 - was found its voice here

22:35 - in your county.

22:37 - So today we celebrate your special place

22:40 - not just in america's history but in america's DNA.

22:44 - Your county and our diverse and dynamic as the

22:47 - rest of the nation we are makers and innovators

22:50 - leaders and unitas

22:52 - today as we dedicate your county semicolons centennial bell

22:56 - we also celebrate our community's rich history and it's role

23:00 - in helping to create

23:01 - a more perfect and a more unified nation.

23:05 - As we approach america's two hundred fiftieth anniversary

23:08 - our nation remains a work in progress

23:11 - while our challenges are great

23:13 - so too are our opportunities.

23:16 - Let us embrace the ass operational and inspirational spirit

23:19 - of our founding fathers

23:21 - and remind ourselves

23:23 - that unity

23:24 - is central

23:25 - to community.

23:26 - We your county and are rightly proud of our many contributions to our nation's history

23:32 - but perhaps the greatest contribution to the success of our nation

23:36 - is our indomitable spirit of community

23:38 - we believe in each other

23:40 - we support in each other

23:41 - and we worked together for the common goal of building a better York county

23:46 - and to me

23:47 - that is worth celebrating

23:49 - thank you

23:51 - and

23:58 - now i'd like to take a few minutes to recognize congressman Scott Perry

24:02 - who is expected to be in Washington for a voting session

24:04 - but was able to make it here for this important day

24:07 - Carson Perry.

24:10 - Laughs.

24:16 - Thank you all i'm going to talk short so you can

24:19 - enjoy long.

24:21 - As

24:21 - the commissioner said we expected to be in Washington DC i can tell you there's much

24:25 - better to be here in my home county

24:27 - it's great to be in what is kind of the epicenter of

24:31 - the making of america

24:32 - and i love the fact that this has been preserved thank you

24:35 - governors that have come here

24:37 - elected officials all

24:39 - have and the people that have put this together

24:42 - birthday celebrations

24:43 - you know look they all culminate at that moment right but there's a lot of work that

24:48 - goes if you got kids you know there's a lot of work that goes into making sure

24:51 - that it's perfect and so

24:53 - for the the for those of us who didn't participate

24:56 - thank you for making all this happen this is a story not only of america

25:01 - and not only of this birthday celebration and being prepared for it

25:05 - but it's a

25:06 - it's a celebration of the stories that happened

25:08 - right here in the sacrifices that happened right here

25:11 - on behalf of veterans just like the one that's

25:13 - sitting right in front of me and the people.

25:16 - The people that we're incarcerated here and the people that held them here

25:20 - for the sake of a nation it is their story

25:23 - it is one by one his in his in his

25:25 - story

25:26 - and it is or history

25:29 - and i love that we're preserving it it's more than just

25:31 - a gathering place it's a place where things happened

25:34 - and it's a consequential place

25:36 - that started the seed of america

25:39 - right here in your county which why we love the cold

25:41 - the first capital i remind my colleagues all the time

25:44 - i don't care if they don't like it because we loved god bless you thank you very much.

25:49 - Huh.

25:56 - Thank you congressman Perry

25:58 - and now i'd like to ask a friend of your county

26:01 - and.

26:02 - A friend of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania auditor general Tim de for to say a few words

26:06 - Tim.

26:07 - Huh.

26:15 - Thank you commissioner Wheeler and homeless

26:17 - have a round of applause

26:19 - for Cassandra calmer

26:20 - in the america two fifty p team

26:23 - as i have always said.

26:24 - From

26:25 - some of the hardest working people.

26:28 - On this side of the Mississippi.

26:31 - And they're the ones who are bringing American to fifty pa to life

26:34 - and it's a problem it's an honor and a privilege to be here

26:37 - to dedicate the third crew

26:39 - for Mike when centennial bell

26:41 - and as america two fifty pa has shown repeatedly.

26:45 - Pennsylvania so many places

26:47 - rich in history.

26:48 - Each

26:49 - with it's own

26:50 - unique story

26:51 - for example

26:53 - growing up in Harrisburg i knew that York was the capital of Pennsylvania as

26:57 - the congressman

26:58 - stated

26:59 - from parts of seventeen seventy seven

27:01 - to parts of seventeen seventy eight

27:03 - knew that the continental congress met here to

27:05 - adopt

27:06 - the articles of confederation rate review in York

27:10 - and although i grew up thirty miles north of here

27:13 - off of i eighty three

27:15 - i still felt

27:16 - a sense of pride knowing that

27:18 - about York

27:20 - but here's

27:21 - even though i knew all that here's what i didn't know.

27:24 - I didn't know anything about camp security.

27:27 - And once again because america to fifty pa

27:31 - I've learned something new.

27:33 - I learned

27:34 - about camp security

27:35 - and the interesting role that it played

27:38 - in the American revolution.

27:42 - The filmic when centennial bills to rededicate.

27:45 - They're not just markers.

27:47 - They are physical reminders

27:49 - of our shared history

27:51 - and the role of these special places

27:53 - have played.

27:55 - In the formation of our nation.

27:57 - Special special places like the site of a first immigrants with Daniel bell

28:02 - the Dennis farm.

28:03 - One hundred and fifty three acre for

28:05 - susquehanna county

28:07 - about one hundred and fifty miles north of here.

28:10 - Where.

28:11 - It has been owned by the same African American family.

28:15 - Since the late

28:16 - seventeen hundreds and i believe descendants of the

28:20 - Dennis forms have just arrived.

28:23 - Very hard.

28:25 - As for the holyfield bro in the pocono mountains

28:33 - which honored immigrant labor

28:35 - and their historic contributions to northeastern Pennsylvania.

28:39 - America

28:40 - two fifty pa is about learning.

28:43 - Honoring

28:44 - our history

28:45 - and those that came before us.

28:47 - We honor

28:48 - our history and learn about her history

28:51 - and

28:51 - learn about other people's history.

28:54 - It really helps us to understand ourselves

28:57 - and that's why we're here.

28:59 - Too learn about and honor those who fought

29:02 - for the station's independence

29:04 - and obscure.

29:06 - Historic

29:07 - and important.

29:08 - American revolutionary war

29:10 - prison camp.

29:11 - That is the last of it's kind

29:13 - in it's right here

29:15 - in your county.

29:17 - That gives me a sense of pride too.

29:20 - And as an ex officio member

29:22 - of america to fifty pa.

29:24 - I am proud to honor the site

29:26 - with america to fifty ps

29:28 - semi quint centennial bill.

29:30 - For his impact

29:32 - and contributions

29:33 - not only to Pennsylvania's history

29:36 - but to our nation's history.

29:39 - I said this once.

29:41 - Say it again.

29:43 - This is about

29:44 - discovering

29:45 - our history.

29:47 - So after we leave for today.

29:49 - Let's take the time

29:51 - to discover

29:53 - or in some cases

29:54 - rediscover.

29:56 - Our own history.

29:57 - Welcome

29:58 - and thank you all for being here.

30:01 - Laughs.

30:11 - As we endure the heat i want to remind everybody

30:14 - that there are waters to the side here so please

30:16 - if you need one

30:17 - feel free to get up and get one it's there for you.

30:20 - Mr Wheeler mentioned

30:22 - joining us today are members of the Pennsylvania

30:24 - house and senate delegations from your county

30:26 - to present citations from Harrisburg marking today's occasion

30:30 - welcome state senator Kristin Phillips hill and

30:32 - state representative Wendy fink

30:34 - representing the delegation.

30:36 - Huh.

30:49 - It is hard to believe.

30:51 - That.

30:53 - Almost fifty years ago.

30:55 - I was in elementary school and i stood

30:59 - in Philadelphia

31:00 - in front of the Liberty bell performing with my elementary

31:04 - school choir as our nation celebrated its bicentennial

31:09 - and here we are today

31:12 - that was an increase doubly meaningful experience for a child and i have to tell you

31:17 - it is incredibly meaningful to be here today

31:21 - with all of you

31:22 - what an honor

31:25 - to stand together

31:27 - and dedicate this semi queen centennial bell here

31:31 - at camp security.

31:34 - It is emblematic of our shared history.

31:37 - This site.

31:39 - Is the last

31:41 - remaining undeveloped revolutionary war prince winner of war camp

31:46 - in the united states.

31:49 - Let that sink in folks

31:51 - it's the only one left.

31:54 - During a time when the outcome of the American revolution was anything but certain.

32:00 - This place.

32:02 - Where we sit.

32:04 - Played a quiet

32:06 - but essential role

32:08 - in the fight

32:09 - for Liberty.

32:11 - Campus security reminds us

32:14 - that the struggle for freedom wasn't fought on famous battlefields like Lexington and

32:20 - Concord or bunker hill or yorktown in Virginia.

32:24 - It also was fought and reached

32:27 - right here

32:28 - into your county

32:29 - and that's why this bell all matters.

32:32 - As part of america two fifty p a's effort to Mark

32:35 - important sites across the commonwealth this bell serves

32:39 - as a reminder

32:41 - that history

32:42 - didn't just happen.

32:44 - It happened

32:46 - right here

32:47 - in our community

32:48 - and preserving places like this ensure wars that future generations understand not just

32:54 - what our freedom means

32:57 - but what our freedom cost.

32:59 - Next year

33:00 - as our country marks two hundred and fifty years since the signing

33:05 - of the declaration of independence.

33:08 - We should all take that important milestone as the challenge for us to reflect on

33:14 - who we are

33:15 - what we've built

33:17 - and what we must protect.

33:20 - As Americans.

33:22 - I recently read an article written by David massey

33:25 - in discourse magazine and it was entitled what we owe

33:29 - our country.

33:31 - He said that america is and has long been an

33:35 - unprecedented haven for people from all over the world

33:39 - seeking freedom

33:40 - from intolerance

33:42 - from persecution

33:44 - and from a lack of social mobility

33:47 - and that really resonated with me because

33:50 - this is a county and a nation where people from every background come together

33:56 - raise their families build their businesses worship freely

34:00 - and we call each other

34:02 - neighbors

34:03 - and fellow Americans.

34:05 - We are a country built

34:07 - not on perfection but on the promise

34:10 - that Liberty

34:12 - opportunity

34:13 - and justice

34:15 - belongs to everyone

34:18 - and that we each have a role in making that promise real.

34:23 - Massey also said we don't owe the united states are blind or uncritical allegiance

34:30 - but we should give it

34:31 - our unconditional support and yes

34:34 - our love

34:35 - as well

34:37 - because after all

34:38 - as Americans we're all family.

34:41 - It means telling the truth setting high

34:43 - expectations and showing up even when it's difficult

34:46 - because you bill believe

34:49 - in the people

34:50 - that you love and the country

34:52 - that you love

34:54 - and you never give up

34:55 - on them

34:57 - and that's what this country asks of us

35:00 - to take our citizenship

35:02 - seriously to protect what's been handed down to us to teach the next generation

35:06 - not just the facts lots

35:08 - of history

35:09 - but the values

35:11 - that have shaped it.

35:13 - Now campus security it may not appear in every textbook

35:16 - but it's story

35:17 - matters

35:18 - it's part of a larger fight the fight for independence the fight for self governance

35:23 - the fight for something bold and untested

35:26 - that we are so blessed asked

35:28 - to call the united states

35:30 - of america so to cass and all the fine people in america to fifty pa to carrollton

35:37 - zola and the friends of campus security

35:39 - to spring it's Barry township

35:41 - and to every person who helped bring us

35:44 - to this moment thank you

35:47 - made this bell ring with clarity and purpose

35:50 - and may it remind us that our history

35:53 - is not just something to study

35:55 - it's something to carry forward and with that

35:59 - i am so pleased to be joined by my good friend

36:02 - and colleague sen Don keefer as we present

36:05 - a citation to commemorate

36:08 - this mono mantis occasion

36:10 - to the county of York.

36:12 - Thank you.

36:14 - Huh.

36:26 - With that i am pleased to welcome

36:29 - state representative

36:31 - Wendy think

36:32 - to the podium.

36:34 - Huh.

36:39 - Good morning your county

36:41 - today we are gathered to celebrate an important milestone in your county

36:46 - the installation of our very own bells across pa Liberty bell

36:51 - and the upcoming america to fifty pa festivities.

36:55 - This fiberglass bell is just one of the sixty seven to be unveiled

37:00 - each will represent his respective county's unique

37:03 - role in shaping our state and national history.

37:07 - As we approach the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of our country's founding

37:11 - Pennsylvania stands at the forefront of this historic milestone.

37:16 - Our commonwealth has rich history

37:19 - and heritage

37:20 - and she has played a pivotal role

37:23 - in the birth of our nation.

37:25 - It's not it's only fitting that we lead the way in america to fifty festivities

37:31 - but the initiative is more than just a celebration

37:35 - it's a tribute

37:36 - to innovation and resilience that has defined our great state and country.

37:42 - From the signing of the declaration of independence in Philadelphia

37:45 - to the countless contributions of Pennsylvania and

37:48 - throughout history our state has been a beacon hope.

37:53 - Over the next year will continue to honor the past

37:56 - celebrate the present

37:58 - and inspire the future.

38:01 - America two fifty p a mobile unit will travel across the state

38:05 - bringing interactive exhibits and educational

38:08 - programs to communities across the commonwealth.

38:12 - This initiative will showcase the people

38:14 - places and events that have shaped our history.

38:18 - Today we're highlighting one of those learning opportunities.

38:22 - As you know as a senator is that campus security was once a

38:27 - revolutionary war prisoner of war camp

38:30 - and now it serves as an incredible state.

38:34 - A credible site for archaeology history and education

38:38 - but it's also symbolic

38:40 - of our enduring Liberty and freedom.

38:43 - Today's Liberty bell installation is a story of

38:46 - York county itself not only commemorating our past

38:50 - but inspiring future gener gracious to Cherish

38:53 - the history and values

38:55 - on which this country and commonwealth were built.

38:59 - I invite all pennsylvanians to join us in this celebration.

39:03 - Whether participating in local events like this

39:07 - engaging with educational programs or simply reflecting the shared heritage

39:12 - these countless ways to get involved

39:14 - and celebrate america's two fiftieth birthday.

39:18 - As we look ahead to July fourth twenty twenty six

39:22 - let's remember what unites us

39:24 - the right to life

39:26 - Liberty

39:27 - and the pursuit of happiness.

39:29 - Let's celebrate the history and strength of our commune cities

39:33 - and recommit

39:34 - our ideals

39:35 - that have made our nation great.

39:38 - On behalf of the

39:40 - Pennsylvania house of representatives i'd like to present a certificate

39:44 - to honor this celebratory occasion.

39:48 - Laughs.

40:08 - We are honored today to include a significant group of people today who work

40:12 - tirelessly to ensure that this historically

40:14 - important site remains our nation saw and developed

40:17 - pw camp from the revolutionary war

40:20 - representing the friends of camp security is historian

40:23 - Jonathan stare.

40:26 - Three.

40:34 - Thank you Brian.

40:36 - It is fitting that we dedicate this bell on this date for

40:40 - exactly two hundred and forty four years ago yesterday.

40:43 - July the eight seventeen eighty one the first York county militia company

40:47 - began preparations to receive British prisoners at this site

40:50 - which was to become known as camp security.

40:54 - What was camp security

40:56 - camp security

40:57 - during the American revolution was a name given to

40:59 - a prisoner of war encampment located in the fields

41:02 - and on the hill

41:03 - just to our south in that direction.

41:06 - Unfortunately the trees are blocking our view but if

41:08 - they weren't there you will see it lay in the distance.

41:12 - This prison camp

41:13 - held British prisoners and noncommissioned

41:15 - officers and their families captured primarily the battles of

41:18 - saratoga and yorktown.

41:21 - In the opening months of seventeen eighty one as the British advances in the southern

41:24 - colonies appeared to threaten the release

41:26 - of the saratoga prisoners held near charlottesville

41:29 - Virginia continental congress authorized

41:32 - the captors to be moved northward

41:34 - ultimately Pennsylvania was selected as their destination.

41:38 - Initially many of these prisoners were intended to be housed in Lancaster

41:41 - at existing facilities but overcrowding there necessitated

41:45 - that they be housed elsewhere.

41:47 - In a June twenty seventh seventeen eighty one letter to William Scott

41:51 - who was head of your kinds militia at the time.

41:54 - The president of Pennsylvania supreme executive council that serves the governor

41:58 - instructed

41:59 - Scott to quote

42:01 - Mark out someplace

42:03 - well wooded and watered where they may build huts which are to be picketed

42:08 - if within a small distance of yorktown

42:10 - and that's what York was called that time

42:12 - so much the better.

42:14 - On July twenty eighth Scott reported that he had found just the place quote

42:18 - about four miles and a half to the eastward of yorktown

42:22 - and that is

42:23 - the landscape before us the

42:25 - spot that he.

42:26 - Selected.

42:28 - Around August the first the first

42:30 - saratoga prisoners began to arrive to a stockade still under construction.

42:35 - According to one militia guard at the stockade was build a fifteen foot long posts

42:39 - set four feet into the ground and closing about four acres.

42:43 - When the stockade area

42:45 - proved inadequate to house the captors for various reasons

42:48 - the saratoga prisoners were permitted to erect a loosely guarded village

42:52 - on the hill above the stock eight.

42:54 - Later when prisoners who were captured at the

42:56 - battle of yorktown arrive in seventeen eighty two

42:59 - this villi said jokingly

43:01 - became known among the captives as camp indulgence

43:04 - since the Americans were indulging those who

43:05 - were not required to remain in the stockade.

43:09 - From the summer of seventeen eighty one to early seventeen eighty two the camp was

43:12 - constructed and guarded by your county militia.

43:15 - Many of whose descendants live in our county to this day.

43:19 - January seventeen eighty two the primary guard

43:21 - responsibilities were assumed by a continental army regiment

43:24 - under the command of colonel Moses hazen known as

43:27 - congresses one

43:28 - or the Canadian regiment.

43:31 - Hasan chafe the guard duty and long to return to his schemes to invade Canada

43:35 - so his regiment was replaced on October thirtieth seventeen eighty two

43:38 - by prof original Pennsylvania continental regiment

43:41 - commanded by colonel Richard Butler who was recruiting in Carlisle at the time.

43:45 - Although the militia may have had well over

43:47 - two hundred men on this site at any one time

43:50 - hasan and Butler station or a company

43:53 - of about sixty to eighty men to guard camp security.

43:58 - The first continue to prisoners to arrive in the summer of seventeen eighty one

44:01 - consisted of British soldiers and their families

44:03 - captured at the battles of saratoga

44:05 - in the fall a seventeenth seventy seven and this

44:07 - group was known as the convention army because

44:11 - at saratoga the British did not officially surrender but rather

44:14 - negotiate a convention

44:16 - with the Americans

44:17 - gave them some personal liberties

44:19 - and authorized the captives to be marched to the coast to be returned to England.

44:23 - Continental congress never approved this liberal agreement and the prisoners remained

44:27 - in captivity for the rest of the war.

44:29 - Totally between eight hundred and one thousand men women and children

44:33 - this group of prisoners was comprised of portions

44:35 - of several regiments of foot and the royal artillery

44:38 - along with some individuals

44:40 - from units that were raised in Canada known as the Canadian companies

44:43 - these are the prisoners of built camp indulgence.

44:47 - Following the Franco American victory at yorktown Virginia portions

44:50 - of the regiments captured there began to arrive

44:52 - at camp security in January seventeen eighty two.

44:55 - Among them were members of

44:57 - the brigade of guards and other regiments of foot.

45:00 - Possibly totaling eight hundred to nine hundred men women and children.

45:04 - In April seventeen eighty two a return of prisoners and their families

45:07 - attributed camp security

45:08 - reported a total of fifteen hundred and eighty eight people

45:12 - but our researches indicate that perhaps as many

45:14 - as a third of that number did not live on site

45:17 - because they were permitted to

45:19 - work and engage in occupations in your county community under a passive system.

45:24 - Many people died at camp security and illness and probably inadequate food

45:28 - estimates of death range from

45:30 - about ten percent to possibly as high as twenty five or thirty percent.

45:35 - These individuals were buried in a cemetery located

45:37 - about one quarter of a mile from the stockade

45:39 - according to the recollection

45:41 - of one prisoner.

45:43 - Following a preliminary peace treaty between great britain and the fledgling united

45:47 - states on April seventeen eighty three

45:49 - caps security was emptied about may ten of that year

45:53 - and the prisoners were marched through Pennsylvania

45:55 - to elizabethtown new Jersey to board ships returned to England.

45:59 - The encampment had been in operation for twenty one months.

46:02 - Today this park

46:03 - and now this bell

46:04 - remind us of the

46:06 - important role that York county played in the revolutionary war.

46:09 - Can't security however is more than a passing

46:11 - footnote in the history of the American revolution.

46:14 - It lives today through the descendants of militia

46:16 - guards who reside in our county and the surrounding area

46:19 - and i might just make a note here that last night i was on the phone with a lady

46:22 - who descends from one of those guards.

46:26 - Having detained British Welsh Scottish Canadian yes even to German prisoners

46:31 - and being guarded by both local men and men from across the young nation

46:34 - camp security provides a truly international connection to our local story.

46:39 - The presence of women and children at the camp illustrate the broad influence that

46:43 - the revolution had on all members of our society.

46:47 - But the most important to the history of our country

46:50 - it was part of the establishment of our government

46:52 - and of it's efforts to serve the people.

46:55 - Our nascent country was faced with a logistical problem that had not anticipated

46:59 - what to do with thousands of prisoners.

47:02 - As the federal and state governments struggled to deal with the problem

47:05 - the idea of a new nation with it's own government came into existence

47:09 - while the Liberty bell

47:10 - proclaim the independence of the colonies from their

47:13 - mother country

47:14 - camp security issue shored

47:16 - that this new independent nation

47:18 - could manage its own affairs.

47:20 - Made a spell always remind us that such a nation started here.

47:24 - Thank you.

47:26 - Huh.

47:53 - Yeah.

47:55 - Oh.

47:58 - God.

48:04 - Is.

48:12 - In.

48:19 - It.

48:26 - In

48:30 - a

48:33 - in.

48:41 - It's

48:45 - a.

48:58 - Is

49:14 - i.

49:32 - It i i.

50:24 - It

50:45 - at.

51:05 - And.

51:22 - Thank you mr steyer for your fine words encapsulating the story of camp security

51:27 - noting York significance in our nation's history

51:29 - and thank you again to the alumni of the York county honors choir

51:33 - and their director Randy yoder for providing special music

51:36 - today's an

51:37 - important occasion

51:38 - and I'll note that

51:39 - all

51:39 - these folks sang in highschool

51:42 - out

51:42 - from the classes of two thousand and three to two thousand and twenty two

51:45 - and now as adults they were pleased to come back together and perform as alumni so

51:49 - let's thank them again for their participation.

51:52 - As we close our program with the unveiling of York

51:56 - county semi quince Antonio bell at cam security

52:00 - we thank the York youth symphony orchestra ensemble and their director Tom clinic

52:04 - for their fine performance both before and after our program

52:08 - after the unveiling we are excited to present

52:10 - the firing of the Cannon from the York revolution

52:13 - after which we will call upon those in

52:16 - the reserved seating areas in the front for photos following the ceremony

52:19 - but upon completion of those photos

52:21 - we invite everyone to take an opportunity

52:24 - to capture your own photo with your account

52:26 - these new semi queen belle here at camp security

52:29 - please also take a gift from america to fifty pa it's under the pavilion

52:34 - everyone thank you for your participation today.

52:37 - Hey.

52:45 - Let's countdown ready.

52:49 - Why.

52:51 - Laughs.

53:06 - I.

53:16 - I.