Patriot's Day Observed as the Redcoats and the Minutemen Reenactment in Lexington

This weekend I went to visit a family member in Boxborough, Mass. The town was planning their 3-day Lexington Battle Reenactment event but the recent rains kept many people away. (Boston Central)

The Wicked Local reports, "The Boxborough Minutemen will hold events on Patriots' Day as well, beginning at 5 a.m. with a breakfast at a member's historic home. At 5:45 a.m., they will meet at the Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road and hold a ceremony and musket salute, as well as elect their new officers." (Wicked Local)

According to the Wicked Local, this is just one of many events the Acton Minutemen participate in throughout the year. The group holds monthly meetings at Jones' Tavern in the summer and the Acton Congregational Church in the winter, and they hold drills before events in Acton Center. (Wicked Local)

While the Minutemen reenact historic political and military events, Crosby said the group as a whole is emphatically non-political in the present day. Modern political groups such as the Tea Party have asked the Minutemen to attend rallies in the past, but the Minutemen declined".(Wicked Local).

This year's event in Lexington on Battle Road, 235^th celebration

The town had to accommodate the event and the water that was still left behind from heavy rains a few weekends ago. I couldn't help thinking as I watched the people walk around in their period clothing soaking wet that it was somehow surreal and probably more representative of those conditions than if it had been a nice sunny day.

A few weekends ago, my husband and I were in Rhode Island but cut our vacation short because of the possible flooding that we realized might occur when we saw a sewer start bubbling up and over the surrounding pavement in the parking lot adjacent to our seaside hotel.

When we got home, we heard reports on the news about Littleton, Mass being flooded because of a blocked culvert. When I was a youngster, I lived near Valley Forge, in Pennsylvania and would visit my grandparents who lived in Littleton on summer vacation.

I had no idea until my aunt took us for a tour that Boxborough and Littleton are right next to each other.

Why is it that we get a rush when we feel a connection to our past? I saw signs, locations and my family talked about places I recognized such as Kimball's Ice Cream, Lawrence, and Fort Devon. Heck I was born in Ayer. I felt a tingling of what these Patriot's and Minutemen must have been feeling with that connection to my past.

Anyway, as we drove through town we didn't get a chance to stop for pictures of any of the minutemen but we did get to take pictures of the Redcoats.

They were enthusiastic when I asked if I could take a picture or two, and they were looking for volunteers too.

History passed from generation

What a great way to learn and be a part of history for families and to meet people for singles. There were men and women of all sizes and races.

If you want to be a redcoat, visit the National Guard Armory at 459 Bedford Street, in Lexington MA, the 3^rd Wednesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information you can visit www.redcoat.org or contact Robert Falotico, Recruiting Officer at falfam@comcast.net or if being a Minuteman appeals more, inquire at the Jones Tavern. (Redcoat flyer)

Sources:

Personal Experience

Redcoat flyer

WBZ, Littleton Floods

Wicked Local

Lexington Battle Reenactment, Boston Central