SIMI VALLEY : Patriotic Add Their Names to Historic Replica

They’re letting anyone sign the U.S. Constitution these days.

But few people leaving their John Hancock on a replica of the esteemed document this weekend at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley did so without a moment of patriotic reflection.

“It’s emotional,” said Marilin Bryant of Agoura Hills. “I felt like I was touching the success of a nation. It was very powerful.”

In honor of the day the Constitution was signed, a giant replica of the 208-year-old document, accompanied by a 40-foot scroll for visitors to sign, was on display Saturday and Sunday at the Reagan library.

President Reagan was the first to sign the reproduction last week. The signed replica will be placed on permanent display at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia. The original document, which was signed by George Washington and 30 representatives from 12 states on Sept. 17, 1787, is stored at the National Archives in Washington.

Real or not, signing the replica was inspiring to many.

“It’s humbling to put my name on a document that has ensured my freedom,” said Charles Breeyear, 61, of Santa Maria. “They were men with a lot of foresight and imagination.”

Breeyear’s wife, Revella, said signing the replica was particularly exciting because she is related to George Wythe, an original signer of the Declaration of Independence.

“I’m just so proud to have a chance to sign my name,” she said.

John Busik, 78, of San Diego liked the part about being on permanent display.

“It’s nice to know that our names will be recorded alongside the Founding Fathers,” Busik said.

Like most signers, Karl Kesler, 47, of Moorpark had nothing but praise for the United States’ founding document.

“More than 200 years later and it’s still a viable document,” Kesler said. “It seems to keep working.”