A Good Day For Catching Up – Well What Else Do You Do When It Rains? We decided last night that today would be a day for just hanging out in Graybeard. We based this on the weather report which called for rain beginning around noon time on Saturday. So, this morning we just laid around in bed neither of us anxious to get out from under the warm and inviting covers. But the time came when we finally had to get moving.
Up for breakfast Barbara discovered a new recipe, peanut butter pancakes. We both thought why not give it a try. Neither of us were disappointed. Along with juice and coffee, the pancakes made for a great breakfast. I’ll take them for breakfast anytime!
The rain? Right on schedule. Along with the sagging temperatures it was obvious the day was going to be cold and dreary. Time to plug in the electric heater.
So let’s get caught up on our travels yesterday. Yesterday we went to Lexington, The Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord, North Bridge Visitors Center, and North Bridge.
We started at the Lexington Visitors Center. Here’s Barbara and Benny the Bison.
What we learned beginning here follows. April 19, 1775 was a day that would forever be remembered as the day that the colonists began their journey on the road to independence.
In April 1775, British Regulars planned a surprise attack on the Patriots stockpile of military supplies in Concord. Why was Concord chosen as the depot of the Patriots stockpile of military supplies?
Plans in place, on the eve of April 18, 1775, British forces began a march from Cambridge toward Concord. Their singular mission was to destroy the ammunition depot in that town. The British, however, were not successful in their plan of a surprise attack.
Paul Revere learns of the British plan to cross the Charles River and march on Concord. A man hangs two lanterns in North Church to alert colonists, using Revere’s code: one if by land, two if by sea. The following is one of the lanterns actually hung in the belfry of Old North Church.
Revere crosses the river, mounts a strong horse, and races to spread the alarm. He takes a northern route. Another rider, John Dawes takes a southerly route.
They arrive first at the Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington to alert Sam Adams and John Hancock that the regulars are out. They knew the British would take them as prisoners if they stayed there.
The militia in Lexington were headquartered here at the Buckman Tavern.
Our militia was led by Captain John Parker. This sculpture called the Lexington Minuteman Statue is often referred to as the Captain Parker Statue as he led our colonists onto the Battle Green to stand in defense of their native rights.
This is where it all began, Lexington Battle Green was where the British Regulars and our militia faced off on that fateful day, April 19, 1775.
This flag pole on the Battle Green marks the place were 700 British Regulars stood facing our militia who in this picture were assembled on the Green back toward the church steeple.
This boulder called the Parker Boulder marks the place where our militia some 77 men strong stood to face the British Regulars.
Ordered by the British to lay down their arms and disperse Captain Parker ordered the militia to Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon. . .” Captain Parker finally orders his men to fall back and disperse.
This is a picture of Lexington Battle Green taken where our militia stood facing the British Regulars. The distance between them was a muskets distance in essence the effective range of the muskets that were in use that day.
A shot rang out, who fired first is not really known. But British Regulars and militia responded with fire. This was the beginning of the American Revolution. By the time it was over eight militia were dead and nine were wounded. Only one British Regular was wounded.
This is a diorama of the battle that took place that day on the Lexington Green.
The Revolutionary War Monument, the oldest Revolutionary War Monument, marks the burial site of the remains of 7 of the 8 militia who died on April 19, 1775.
This is the Minute Man Memorial dedicated to the militia men who stood to defend their native rights.
The British Regulars were not deterred and continued their march toward Concord and North Bridge. That’s what we will cover tomorrow. Stay tuned for more of our nation’s history.
As I reflected on all that I saw that day one truth rang clear to me, freedom is not free. I am who I am today and I am able to enjoy the freedoms and lifestyle I do because of those who were willing to stand in defense of their native rights that day. Today I can do what I do because beginning that day all gave some, and some gave all. I thank God each day for those who are willing to stand to defend the freedoms we all enjoy each day.
Let’s call it a day now. Night is all around us and the hour is growing late. We had a great day, an easy day, a day spent together enjoying each other’s company. We hope you also had a great day with someone special to you. In closing a thought for all of us to ponder:
So that’s it for now. As always, if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God. After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.
Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye. Till tomorrow. Thanks again for sharing our day with us.
These are the voyages of Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans. Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before
"On The Road of Retirement" 
A time in our country that ALL Americans need to hear about. This shaped our country and men died to give us our freedoms and they still do today. Thanks for sharing.
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