One Night, One Cause, One Constitution

Rich Washburn
2 hours ago
6 min read

Last night was one of those evenings I will never forget.

I am still overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflect on the 917 Society’s Fifth Annual Fundraiser at Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Showroom in Nashville. To everyone who attended, purchased tables and tickets, donated, participated in the auction, spoke, sang, served, and supported our mission, thank you. Truly, thank you. What an amazing night, and what an incredible reminder that there are still so many Americans who deeply love this country and believe in the importance of our Constitution.

What moved me most was seeing so many people from different walks of life come together for one shared purpose: to celebrate and honor the United States Constitution. In a time when our nation often feels divided, it was powerful to gather with patriots, elected officials, candidates, business leaders, community leaders, and friends who all understand that the Constitution is the one thing that still binds us together as Americans. That is why the 917 Society exists.

Years ago, when I first held a pocket Constitution in my hands, it changed me. It made the document personal. It made me realize how many Americans had never actually read it, even though they benefit from it every day. That moment helped inspire this mission: to place pocket Constitutions directly into the hands of America’s eighth-grade students and provide educational resources that help them understand what they’ve inherited. It is a simple mission, but it is not a small one.

This year’s fundraiser felt especially meaningful because we are approaching the 250th anniversary of our nation. As America prepares to mark that historic milestone, I believe with all my heart that this is the time to recommit ourselves to constitutional literacy. If we want to preserve liberty, we must teach the next generation where it comes from. Last night was a beautiful expression of that conviction.

The evening began in such a moving and patriotic way, with the posting of the colors by the Heroes of 1776, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, and a prayer that reminded us all that faith and freedom remain at the heart of this nation. It set the tone for everything that followed.

I was honored by the presence of so many faithful supporters and leaders. Our executive board, advisory board, Founders Club members, volunteers, and community partners are the reason this mission continues to grow. I am so thankful for every one of them. I especially want to thank Dr. Ming Wang, president of our Founders Club, for his extraordinary leadership, generosity, and unwavering belief in the mission of the 917 Society.

Dr. Wang has long understood how important it is to preserve the constitutional and biblical foundations that have made America a beacon of freedom, and his support continues to help move this work forward in a powerful way.

I also want to recognize Lee Beaman, our vice president, who was not able to be with us last night but is always a faithful and steadfast supporter of our mission. Lee’s commitment to the 917 Society has meant so much to me personally and to our organization as a whole, and I am deeply grateful for the way he continues to stand with us.

I also want to thank the incredible men and women who work behind the scenes to keep the 917 Society moving forward every day. I may stand at the microphone, but this work is never done alone.

We were blessed to hear from several outstanding voices throughout the evening. Dr. Ken Berry gave a passionate and timely message about the urgency of passing on our civic inheritance to the next generation. He spoke clearly about the danger of raising young Americans who do not understand how our country is supposed to work, and I could not agree more. That is exactly why our mission matters.

We also heard from Roger McCalmon, who will portray George Washington as we recreate Washington’s historic inaugural walk in New York City on April 30. That project is especially close to my heart this year. George Washington’s walk from Federal Hall to St. Paul’s Chapel was a profound moment in the life of the young republic, and recreating it as part of America’s 250th anniversary is one more way we can remind people that our founding was not accidental. It was providential, sacrificial, and deeply rooted in the belief that liberty requires virtue.

One of the great highlights of the evening was welcoming Congressman Tim Burchett, who served as our keynote speaker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS0u4uyfoxI

Tim Burchett brought exactly what I knew he would: authenticity, humor, courage, and a deep love for this country. He is one of those rare public servants who speaks plainly, stands firmly, and is entirely himself. His remarks were funny at times, heartfelt at others, and always grounded in the conviction that the Constitution must be understood and defended. He reminded us that our freedoms are not self-sustaining and that far too many of our leaders and citizens alike have forgotten the meaning and structure of our constitutional republic.

That message could not have been more fitting for the night. Tim also spoke movingly about faith, family, sacrifice, veterans, and the responsibility we all share to preserve what we have inherited. He did not speak like someone reciting talking points. He spoke like someone who genuinely believes that America is worth fighting for and that the next generation must be taught why. I was so grateful for his presence, and I know everyone in the room felt the same.

We also had the privilege of recognizing several outstanding honorees. Dr. Tracy and Cyndi Miller, our 2024 Founders Cup winners, helped present awards during the evening. We posthumously honored Representative Jeff Burkhart as our 2025 Founders Cup recipient, and I am deeply grateful to Senator Bill Powers for accepting that award in his honor. Jeff Burkhart was a faithful supporter of this mission, and his legacy of service deserves to be remembered. We also recognized Representative Jake McCalmon as our 2024 Legislator of the Year, and we were proud to present awards to Senator Bill Powers and Representative Mary Littleton as well. These men and women have served Tennessee with conviction, and it was an honor to celebrate them.

Music was another beautiful part of the evening. Omar Hamada led the National Anthem with such strength and power. Diane Canada gave a moving performance of “My Wish,” and that song captured my heart perfectly. My wish truly is that every eighth-grade student in this country would receive a pocket Constitution and understand the incredible inheritance they have as Americans. Later in the evening, Miles Dixon Nixon and Mary Chandler closed us out with patriotic songs that gave the night a fitting and inspiring finish. And of course, the evening would not have been complete without the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who participated in the auction.

One of the most memorable moments of the night came when a handmade skateboard built by Congressman Tim Burchett was auctioned off. It brought incredible energy to the room, and a special thanks goes to Brandon Gosselin, who purchased it for $5,200. What an amazing show of support. Moments like that are not just fun. They matter. They help us move closer to our printing goals and make it possible for more students to receive these Constitutions.

That is the heart of all of this. Every dollar given helps us print and ship pocket Constitutions to schools across America. Every table purchased, every auction bid, every donation, every introduction to a school or volunteer helps expand the reach of this mission. We are not funded by the state or federal government. This work happens because people choose to make it happen. It happens because patriots care enough to invest in the future. And as I looked around the room last night, I felt more encouraged than ever.

I saw people who still believe our founding principles matter. I saw men and women who understand that freedom is fragile. I saw leaders who still revere the Constitution, supporters who want to make a difference, and friends who believe the next generation deserves more than slogans and political noise. They deserve the real document. They deserve the chance to read it for themselves. They deserve to know that America is not merely an idea to be endlessly redefined, but a republic built on enduring truths. That is what we are fighting for.

This truly was one of our best events ever. Not simply because of attendance or fundraising, though both were a blessing. It was one of our best because of the spirit in the room. It was joyful. It was patriotic. It was hopeful. And it was centered on something bigger than any one person: the cause of preserving and passing on the Constitution. I left last night deeply grateful, genuinely encouraged, and more determined than ever.

So to everyone who joined us, thank you. Thank you for believing in this mission. Thank you for standing with the 917 Society. Thank you for helping us honor the Constitution and inspire the next generation to read it, know it, carry it, and cherish it. And for those who were not able to give last night, or who would still like to help us reach our printing goal, I hope you will visit 917society.org and make a donation. Every gift helps us put more pocket Constitutions into the hands of eighth graders across this country. Because the Constitution still matters. And it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation knows why.