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Massing of the Colors!

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Contributed by: Linda Mustion on 2/21/2008

The 25th Annual George Washington Commemorative Massing of the Colors and Salute to Our Armed Forces was held last Sunday, President's Day Weekend, February 17, 2008 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California. The Sons of Liberty Chapter, California Society, Sons of the American Revolution sponsored the event.

This event honors our first President of the United States, George Washington and it gives tribute to all our armed forces that have served our great country since the American Revolution to the present conflicts.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Hall of Liberty, coming from as far away as Bakersfield, Palm Springs, Orange County, and Northern California. All branches of the military were represented. Everyone was in their period clothing with their flags. They all lined up in order and then paraded off the stage and onto the street and marched with all their colorful flags blowing in the late afternoon breeze and marched down to the foot of the George Washington Monument for the brief program.

The Master of Ceremonies was David M. Hayball, President, Sons of Liberty Chapter, SAR. The Rev. Victor M. Springer, Chaplain, Sons of Liberty Chapter, SAR, gave the Invocation. Lt. Col. Robert Ebert, USA (Ret.) led the Pledge of Allegiance. James F. Blauer, Orange County Chapter, SAR led the National Anthem.

Some of the distinguished guests were Brig. Gen. Stephen Kirkley, USA, Major Josh Tomstock, USA, Lt. Kathleen Hosie, USN, Lt. Col. Thomas R. McCarthy, USMC, Lt. Col. David G. Smith, USAF, and Cdr. Salvatore Palmeri, USCG.

Greetings were given by; Sons of the American Revolution, Larry J. Magerkurth, Vice President General, National Society and Karl William Jacobs, President, California Society. Also giving greetings were Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. Anne Donahue-Lampman, California Society State Regent; The Society of Colonial Wars, David W. Eaton, California State Governor. More greetings were by Ladies Auxiliary Sons of the American Revolution, Mrs. Sandra Jacobs, President; and The Order of Founders and Patriots, Jon Rhoades, State President Elect.

Bishop Louis V. Carlson, Vice President California Society, SAR gave a Prayer for All America's Fallen Military Heroes Lt. Col. David D. Smith, USAF, Sons of Liberty Chapter, SAR did a Wreath Laying Ceremony.

The Mountain Fife & Drums with Kevin Garland, Drum Major, provided music. The Rev. Dr. Gary Alan Dickey, Chaplain, Society of Colonial Wars, played the bagpipe.
Floyd J. Shadwick, Secretary, California Society, SAR played "Taps".

There was also a Flag Folding Ceremony by Lt. Col. David Smith, USAF and the United States Air Force Blue Eagles Honor Guard. There was a Musket Salute by several chapters of the SAR.

There was a F-16 Fly By with Captain Ryan Sweazey, USAF, Flight Leader with the 416th Fighter Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base. An Artillery Salute by Charles "Cap" Cresap of Col. John Lamb's Artillery fired their cannons off toward the old north church. The Rev. Philip Dodson, California Society, SAR Chaplain, gave the Benediction.

As the ceremony ended each organization who was in the parade was named and they then left the formation and marched up the steps back towards the Hall of Liberty. Some of the groups that participated were Sons of Union Veterans, Sons of Confederate Veterans, VFW, DAR, several high school and college JROTC groups, Mayflower Society, Military Order of the Purple Heart, War of 1812, Pilgrim Society, Sea Cadets, and many SAR Chapters.

It was a day to make you proud to be an American.

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