One if by land, two if by sea…
SAR and DAR members celebrate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride
Local sons and daughters of the American Revolution gathered at WACO Air Museum and Learning Center on Friday, April 18, hosting a special ceremony to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride and the first battles of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord.
Hosted by the Piqua-Lewis Boyer chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Richard Montgomery chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the ceremony featured a program on the 250th anniversary, including a reading of the poem “Midnight Ride,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and presentations by local SAR and DAR members.
The ceremony also featured a demonstration by Leah Young of the 4 Freedom Equestrian Team, who appeared dressed as Paul Revere.
“The American Revolution started 250 years ago this very weekend,” SAR State President Steve Kaplan said.
“It was a dangerous and explosive time,” he said. “Revere’s ride symbolizes the urgency and the spirit of the American revolutionaries, who were willing to risk their lives for freedom and for justice.”
“Paul Revere’s ride happened on April 18, 1775,” DAR 2nd Vice Regent Patty Kaplan said.
“The event has been immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem,” she said. “The poem has become an enduring American legend, and a powerful metaphor for the fight for freedom.”
The ceremony also included a tribute to the eight men who died at Lexington, and a color guard presentation of historic flags, as well as a presentation on the Two Lights for Tomorrow initiative.
“Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to begin the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America,” DAR 1st Vice Regent Mary Knapke said. “Two Lights for Tomorrow commemorates that famous ride of Paul Revere, and uses the imagery of that shining light today as a uniting call to action for our citizens to celebrate and serve.”
“Tonight, and all this weekend, they are calling for two lights to be displayed in every statehouse, county courthouse and mayor’s office in the nation,” she said. “Troy and Miami County are participating.”
“This is an opportunity to raise public awareness of the upcoming 250th anniversary,” Knapke said, “and also to communicate the meaning of Paul Revere’s ride as a reminder to all of our part in the perpetual building of a more perfect union.”
The ceremony was organized by the Piqua-Lewis Boyer chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Richard Montgomery chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
“Piqua has ties to early American history as a fort created by General Mad Anthony Wayne,” Miller said. “Lewis Boyer was a bodyguard to George Washington during the American Revolution; he gained land here in Ohio and is buried locally.”
“The Richard Montgomery Chapter of SAR is named after General Richard Montgomery, an Irish-American soldier who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and was killed in the Battle of Quebec, she said.
“To join either organization, one must prove that they are the descendant of a patriot who fought in or otherwise supported the American Revolution,” Miller said.
Miller also thanked WACO Air Museum and Learning Center for assistance with the anniversary ceremony.
“The WACO airfield people have been wonderful to work with, and we have been very appreciative of all their help with getting things set up,” she said. “We would also like to offer a special thank-you to Leah Young and the 4 Freedom Equestrian Team, for making our event so special.”