Patrick Haskel, member of the SAR, places a flower at the foot of the Liberty tree. All photos by Leah Leisure.
Submitted by Chula Fleming
In full regalia and Revolutionary period dress, members of the Long Knives Chapter of the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (IL.S.S.A.R) and the White County Historical Society came together last Saturday, June 2o, in a ceremony of commemoration of 250 years of American independence.
The historical Old Graveyard on Locust Street in Carmi was also dressed in abundant American flags for the Liberty Tree dedication ceremony in honor of those military members laid to rest in this peaceful and serene setting.
SAR member lights the cannon.
Toby Rhine, President, IL Long Knives Chapter, opened the ceremony with a stirring patriotic speech, and Carlin Smock, with the White County Historical Society, read the Declaration of Independence to the approximate 50 attendees. As family members of the ancestors laid to rest there stood by, Chula Fleming, USAF veteran and Carmi GOP Precinct Committeewoman, presented the roll call. Flowers for each of the deceased were placed on the wreaths laid beneath the newly planted Liberty Tree. Taps played softly as the ceremony was closing, and the Revolutionary cannon fired three times in a rousing, final salute.
Participating in the ceremonies were Carlin Smock of the White County Historical Society, the Long Knives Color Guard, Rick Huffman, Chaplain Dave Cochrane, the Wabash Chapter DAR and Chula Fleming.
For more information about the IL.S.S.A.R contact Toby Rhine, toby.carm2005@outlook.com, phone 618 697-6335. Contact the White County Historical Society at (618) 382-8425, msfgenlibrary@gmail.com.
The Old Cemetery.
The Long Knives Chapter of the Illinois Society of the SAR serves the following Souther Illinois Counties: Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, White, and Williamson.
