The Color Guard Times

What an exciting and spectacular time it has been for the Patrick Henry SAR. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am over all the effort that has been shown to attend all of our events. And as you’re probably well aware, there is NO better advertisement for the Sons of the American Revolution than our very own Color Guard. Yes, we have great speakers and interesting topics, all while consuming good food. But when the day is done and the folks head home, there is one thing that most everyone will certainly remember is all the soldiers in their 18th century uniforms and tricorned hats, carrying those great big guns and colorful flags. Those soldiers accompanied by unmistakable militia who are allied in the cause. For some of the youngsters in the crowd, I had the pleasure of overhearing one excitedly yank on his mom’s sleeve and pointing over at us exclaiming, “Mom! Mom!  Pirates!”We started our season off with a bang last November when we participated in the Veteran’s Day Parade in down town Austin. The crowds were thick with excitement and people applauded as our guard marched down Congress Avenue toward the state capitol. We were directly behind our Greatest Generation warriors who were comfortably seated on their trailer (and they deserved it.) We were joined by the DAR and the CAR who only added to the wonder of our group and their outfits were perfect. I can’t begin to express the thanks the Guard has for their attendance with us. Say, wouldn’t it be great if, in the future, we carry a large banner proclaiming Sons of the American Revolution in huge letters? Stay tuned because our leader Jim Nelson is hot on that trail.

Later in November and again in May of this year, the Guard participated in Naturalization Ceremonies. What a wonderful event where an auditorium is literally turned in to a judges courtroom. Presided over by Judge Yeakel of the United States District Court, hundreds of new citizens celebrate their many years of hard work to become newly minted citizens of the USA. Your Guard participated in the posting and retirement of the colors as well as posing for hundreds of photos with excited folks and their families.

December of 2013, we closed out with a uniform and musket presentation for the Georgetown Chapter of the SAR. This event was headed up by our own Gen. Washington himself, Marvin Morgan and I, his humble servant. Marvin looked splendid in his museum quality uniform of blue with buff lapels. Although I endeavored to represent the common folks of the era, I’m afraid I may have gussied up a little too much and appeared in my “go to meeting” attire. In any event, the Georgetown folks were very appreciative of the display and presentation and they asked many questions about our muskets, bayonets, powder and ammo. I look forward to many more of these presentations.

Your Guard presented the colors at the George Washington Luncheon at the Austin Women’s Club in February as well as the TX State Cemetery this past May. The musket squad fired their musket salute in memorial to the revolutionary war ancestors buried at the state cemetery as well as put on a show for the crowd after the event was over. The TX State Cemetery event is one of the more publicized events we attend and your troops performed flawlessly and looked great!