Topic: The Declaration, the Constitution & the Lessons of Communism
When: Tuesday 10/6/2026 at 2:00 pm ET
As America celebrates 250 years, what can the history of communism teach us about the enduring importance of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? The Declaration laid out the grievances that led to American independence, and the Constitution established institutions designed to protect the rights and freedoms it proclaimed. What happens when societies dismantle those institutions and political and economic power becomes concentrated in the hands of the state? And what can the experience of living under communist regimes teach us about protecting individual liberty, religious freedom, and constitutional government? -️ Join us with special guest Dr. Eric Patterson, President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, live Tuesday, October 6 at 2 PM ET — and bring your questions for the chat!
Constitutional Chats are hosted by Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, student ambassadors, and experts who join us weekly to discuss hot-topic issues! The audience is not on camera, but you may ask questions!
Special Guest: Dr. Eric Patterson, President & CEO, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation
Dr. Eric Patterson is President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to educate all generations about the terrible history, ideology, and legacy of communism, and it accomplishes this through educational programming, policy-relevant research, and the VOC Museum in Washington, DC. Patterson has previously served as a think tank president and university dean. His government experience includes service as a White House Fellow, at the U.S. Department of State, and, for over 20 years, as an Air National Guard commander. He is an active scholar on the moral dimensions of national security and international affairs, as well as author of over 20 books, including Just American Wars: Ethical Dilemmas in U.S. Military History.