Declaration Of Independence Reading Brings Freehold Together

FREEHOLD, NJ — Lillie H. Hendry decked herself out in patriotic colors. Josef Bienstock donned his U.S. Army uniform. And as they have for years, the two stepped up to the microphone on the steps of Freehold's Borough Hall to begin the reading of one of the most important documents in American history.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," Hendry read.

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving thier just power from the consent of the Governed," Bienstock read.

The annual reading of the Declaration of Independence is a tradition revived in Freehold 15 years ago to mark America's birthday, said Kevin Coyne. the borough's historian. Coyne said reading the document was a tradition throughout the country for years after America gained its independence, but somewhere along the way it went by the wayside. Samuel S. Sagotsky, a former Borough Council member and historian, had urged the resumption of the practice, Coyne said.

Freehold Mayor Nolan Higgins dresses up as Thomas Jefferson for the event, and opens by reading the first paragragh of the Declaration that was signed on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia.

For Bienstock, participating in the annual reading is important because it was America that gave his family haven after they escaped Germany in 1938. They arrived in 1941 and not long after they arrived, he wound up in the service and went to Europe during World War II, where he was in military intelligence. He also gained his citizenship in the United States as a result of his service.

"This country welcomed me," said Bienstock, who will be 98 in September. Bienstock's family had lived in Howell for decades, a family member said, but in recent years he has moved to an assisted living facility in New York.

"But he wanted to be here today," she said.

Hendry, 89, has lived in Freehold her whole life and was a teacher at Freehold Intermediate School. "I wouldn't miss this for anything," she said.

More than 100 people of all ages and backgrounds lined up to read sentences from the document, bringing the words of 242 years ago to life. They then read the names of the 13 original states and the signers from each of those states, from Thomas Jefferson to John Hancock to Benjamin Franklin. With each state, a ring of the bell atop the Freehold Fire House next door, and after the 13 original states and signers' names, it rang 37 times more, for each of the states that now make up the 50 United States.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the raising of the first flag with its circle of 13 stars was followed by the Bethel AME Church choir singing the national anthem and other patriotic hymns.

It's a reminder of why we are able to celebrate the day and of the freedoms afforded us because of those founding fathers, Coyle said.

If you missed the event, you can watch the videos below. The event lasted about 30 minutes. (Technical issues resulted in the three segments, regrettably.)

Josef Bienstock salutes as the Bethel AME Church choir sings the national anthem. Lillie H. Hendry listens as the Bethel AME Church choir sings. Photos and videos by Karen Wall, Patch staff