Sons of the American Revolution
Compatriot Ron Barnard was the keynote speaker at a recent dinner event by the Genealogical and Historical Societies of Lapeer County.
He discussed the history of bagpipes, who plays them, where they originated, and how they are played. He even went to took the bagpipe apart and showed the different pieces, demonstrated different blowing techniques and also played a couple tunes on request.
The event was well attended and everybody enjoyed his presentation.
Huzzah to Compatriot Barnard!
On August 29th, Paul Emery Chapter participated in Genesee County’s culminating 250th celebration event at Crossroads Village. The event not only celebrated America’s 250th, but also the 50th anniversary of the park, one of the county’s gems.
The Chapter setup an information tent along with the Genesee Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution on the village green. We passed out information on the SAR, civic literature, and provided free copies of the Declaration of Independence to the public. Many people stopped by to get their Genesee County 250 passbooks stamped.
At 2:00 pm, the Chapter Members and the MISSAR color guard had the distinct honor of leading the parade around the village.
Later that afternoon, members dedicated a Liberty Tree in the park, assisted by the Genesee DAR.
The day’s activities came to a close in the evening with Compatriot Bob Hawcroft reading the Declaration of Independence for the assembled crowed.
This year the Chapter continued the tradition of participating in the Fenton Freedom Festival’s Fourth of July parade. The parade is one of the largest in the region and typically attended by several thousand people.
This year, of course, held extra significance being the 250th birthday of our nation. Following the parade, the Paul Emery Chapter was one of the featured events on the festival schedule reading the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Fenton Museum. There was even a special appearance by His Excellency, George Washington.
Incidentally, records show that the Declaration was often read on the Fourth of July in Fenton, the earliest documented occurrence taking place in 1839!
Our chapter recently donated a portrait of George Washington to the White Horse Inn. The portrait is displayed prominently on the wall of the main floor dining room of the inn. The engraved plate affixed to the portrait reads, “This Portrait Was Donated To The White Horse Inn With Gratitude And Appreciation Of Their Support Of The Paul Emery Chapter Of The Sons Of The American Revolution. 2024”.
