City Councilwoman and America 250 Liaison Sara Baer welcomed attendees and said that the journey to the morning’s ceremony began all the way back in 1976 with the burial of the original time capsule which is now on display at the Salem Historical Society. She thanked everyone that assisted in the creation of the new capsule, curation and packing of its contents, and its burial. Shown from left are Baer and American Sign Language Interpreter Doreen Ziegler.

Salvation Army Salem Corps Capt. Amber Imhoff offers the invocation.

Salem City Schools Choir Director Attila Samu provides vocal renditions of “the Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”

Community Advocate Marge Greeneisen offers a reading of “Reflection on Salem’s Time Capsule,” a first-person account of the construction, burial and retrieval of the original 1976 time capsule, and its newly buried successor.

United Way of Northern Columbiana County Executive Director George W. S. Hays offers reflections on the meaning of the U.S. 250 celebrations going on throughout the nation. Hays described the semiquincentennial as “one of the most significant landmarks” in the nation’s history, and of the gradual formation of the United States government from its earliest philosophical roots in the Magna Carta to the formation of the branch system of checks and balances.

Salem Public Library Executive Director Brad Stephens recognizes and thanks the more than 50 community groups and businesses which contributed items for the time capsule. Stephens said that the artifacts sealed within were symbolic of the collective feelings, memories and hope of the Salem community.

City Council Evan Newman presents an official city proclamation on Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey’s behalf and described the time capsule as “a handshake extended to across 50 years” to Salem’s future residents.

Ellsworth Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9571 Chaplain Fred Schrock leads the pledge of allegiance and offered the ceremony’s benediction.