Battle of Lexington Anniversary Recognized in Foley
Veterans Flagpole to Host Lexington Battle Ceremony
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley’s recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution will begin with a commemoration of the Battle of Lexington.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 19. The Foley City Council issued a proclamation Tuesday, April 8, recognizing the anniversary.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich thanked the organizers of the event.
“The city of Foley commends the efforts of the Sons of the American Revolution, SAR, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, to commemorate the anniversary of the great event on April 19, 1775,” Hellmich said reading the proclamation. “We also commend and support their efforts to commemorate the American Revolution and to educate the public on the principles of freedom and self-government that motivated the Revolution.”
The commemoration will include an event on Saturday, April 19, at the Veteran's Memorial flagpole at John B. Foley Park.
James Corum of the SAR said the commemoration recognizes a key moment in American history.
“We will be having a ceremony in the Foley park at the small flagpole, the veteran’s flagpole,” he said. “We'll have reenactors. We'll have people in colonial uniforms and colonial costumes. We will present a 13-star flag to fly over the city, fly over the park, in commemoration of this incredible event.”
The flagpole ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. That event will be followed by a presentation at the Foley Public Library at 4 p.m.
On April 19, 1775, about 86 members of the Massachusetts Militia turned out to face a force of about 700 British troops sent to destroy militia supplies. Eight militiamen were killed in the battle. The British moved on to Concord where they were confronted by a larger militia force and retreated after a second engagement.
The battles, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence, are considered the first armed engagements of the American Revolution.
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