Celebration of Independence Day 1998:
Independence Day Luncheon
11:00 a.m. at the Sheraton Society Hill and the
National Bell Ringing Ceremony
2:00 p.m. on Independence Square

INDEPENDENCE DAY LUNCHEON

"LET FREEDOM RING"

ADDRESS OF MAJ. GEN. (SELECT) GARRY L. PARKS, USMC

ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT MARK FRAZIER LLOYD

INDEPENDENCE DAY LUNCHEON

The Society's Independence Day celebration convened at the Sheraton Society Hill, at 11 a.m. and began with a half-hour reception, followed by a formal luncheon. President Mark Frazier Lloyd presided at the event and was joined at the head table by his wife, Sandy; the guest of honor and principal speaker, Major General (S) Garry L. Parks, USMC, Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs for Global and Multi-lateral Issues and Western Hemisphere, and his wife, Earlene; Christopher Schillizzi, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services, Independence National Historical Park; Society Vice-President Leroy Moody Lewis, III and his wife, Nancy; the Pennsylvania Society’s Guest Chaplain, Reverend Michael J. Carlson, Pastor of Christ’s Lutheran Church in Oreland, Pennsylvania; and the Chairman of the Society’s Independence Day Committee, Joseph Charles Byrne, a member of the Society’s Board of Managers.

While members and guests of the Society dined on a five-course meal of shrimp and chicken (with hamburgers available for the children!), President Lloyd directed an extensive program. Following an Invocation by Rev. Carlson, Mr. Lloyd turned to four officers of the Society to deliver the traditional Independence Day toasts. Vice President James Bradley Burke led the Society in a toast to the President of the United States of America. Vice President Benjamin Charles Frick raised a toast to George Washington. Vice President Richard Renato Paul Di Stefano lifted his glass to Thomas Jefferson. Chairman Byrne asked the audience to join him in remembering the sacrifices of the Continental Army.

Many distinguished guests joined the Pennsylvania Society on this occasion and President Lloyd welcomed and introduced each one in turn: Hon. James Murray Lynn, Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania and his daughter, Grainne; Allan McAlpin Heyward, Jr., President-General of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and his wife, Marianne; Philip Schuyler Pyne, First Vice President-General of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence; Mrs. William G. Kalbfleisch, Past President-General of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence; Thomas Clifton Etter, Jr., General President of the General Society of Sons of the Revolution; Lynn S. Nicklas, State Regent, Pennsylvania State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; and Winchell Smith Carroll, President of the Philadelphia-Continental Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution; Jon Edelstein, Assistant to the Director of Sunoco Welcome America, Inc., the Society’s sponsorship partner in "Let Freedom Ring"; Marguerite Flounders, President of the American Revolution Patriots Fund, the organization coordinating the rehabilitation of Washington Square; Patrick J. McGuigan, Jr., President of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund; Rosalind Remer, Director of Planning & Programming, National Constitution Center and Associate Professor, Department of History, Moravian College and her husband, James Green; Craig W. Horle, Director and Chief Editor of the Biographical Dictionary of Early Pennsylvania Legislators project at Temple University and Laurie Wolfe, one of the Associate Editors of the project; Doretta A. McMunn, Executive Director of Fort Mifflin on the Delaware; Kris Kepford, Executive Director of Cliveden of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and John T. Chew, a Cliveden family member and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at Cliveden; Karen vdH. Butler, Executive Director of Historic Philadelphia, Inc., and her husband, "Chip"; and Warren F. Williams, President of the Warwick Township Historical Society, the organization which manages George Washington’s August 1777 headquarters, "Moland House."

In anticipation of and appreciation for the contributions each would soon make to the "Let Freedom Ring" ceremony on Independence Square, President Lloyd presented individual gifts to Maj. Gen. Parks and to the General President of the General Society, Thomas Clifton Etter, Jr.

Then, in special recognition of the "Let Freedom Ring" ceremony at the Liberty Bell Pavilion, Mr. Lloyd called upon Allan McAlpin Heyward, President-General of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence (DSDI). Mr. Heyward presented four young members of the DSDI to President Lloyd as the Liberty Bell tappers for the year 1998. The first two were Whitney Anne Dorer, 14, who was to enter 8th grade in the fall and James May Dorer, 12, who would be entering the 6th grade. The Dorers were descendants of Benjamin Franklin. Whitney and Jamie had traveled to Philadelphia with their parents, Robert May and Sarah Harper Dorer (Robert and Sarah), from Bedford, Massachusetts. The second set of Bell tappers were Julia Blake Hill, 14, who was soon to enter 9th grade and her younger brother, Andrew Middleton Hill, 11, who would be entering the 5th grade. The Hills were descendants of Arthur Middleton, a Signer from the State of South Carolina. Blake and Andrew had traveled to Philadelphia with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Timothy Hill (Tim and Annely), all the way from of Augusta, Georgia. President Lloyd presented individual gifts to each of the four Liberty Bell tappers.

A total of 190 members and guests attended the Independence Day luncheon.

Following the luncheon, the Society’s Color Guard moved quickly to Independence Square, where it assembled in parade order. Other members and the guests followed at 1 p.m., marching three blocks from the Sheraton, at 2nd and Walnut Streets, to reserved seating on the Square, entering from the 5th and Walnut Street corner of the Square.

To Table of Contents

"LET FREEDOM RING"

At Independence Square musical preludes to the "Let Freedom Ring" ceremony had begun at 12:30 p.m. The Fairmont High School (Minnesota) Marching Band, directed by Jenifer Rieck, performed for the half hour between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. and the ten-piece Independence Hall Jazz Band, led by Doug Finke, performed for the second half hour. First Lieutenant Lauren J. Hamre, Officer in Charge of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Mid-Atlantic, located in Lakehurst, New Jersey, had arrived earlier and reported to the Society’s Marshals, Theodore Clattenburg, Jr. and William Hawley Dutcher, III. 1st Lt. Hamre was leading half a dozen soldiers from the recruiting office. They served efficiently as ushers, keeping reserved seats available for Society members and their guests while assisting hundreds of others in making their way to seats in the unreserved sections.

At 1:15 p.m. the Second Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line, a unit of re-enactors commanded by Major C. Paul Loane entered Independence Square. The Regiment played field music, that is, marching music and some fife and drum tunes, as they guided the Society members and guests to their places in the center of the Square. At 1:25 a hush came over the audience, as Master Sergeant Alan Van Norman conducted an Inspection of Arms by the 111^th Fighter Wing Honor Guard and Drill Team, Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

The 30th Annual "Let Freedom Ring" and National Bell Ringing Ceremony began at 1:30 p.m., sharp. The Colonial Philadelphia Fife and Drum, led by Benjamin Franklin (portrayed by Ralph Archbald) marched first into the Square. It was followed immediately by The Color Guard of the Pennsylvania Society, led by its Captain, Andrew Jackson Salisbury, II. The Color Guard paraded 35 Revolutionary War flags and Captain Salisbury presented them to President Lloyd. Vice President Lewis, who served as Master of Ceremonies, welcomed an audience of more than 1,500 people. Reverend Carlson gave the Invocation and President Lloyd led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The one-hour program was well planned and Master of Ceremonies Lewis directed it capably. He began by introducing himself and the Sons of the Revolution to the crowd and then read the Concurrent Congressional Resolution of 26 June 1963. This Resolution, which was adopted less than two weeks before President John F. Kennedy visited Independence Hall on 4 July 1963, declared that the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be observed each year at 2 p.m. in the afternoon of the 4^th of July, by the ringing of bells throughout the United States. It called upon civic and other community leaders to take appropriate steps to encourage public participation in the observance. The Concurrent Congressional Resolution inspired the Sons of the Revolution to inaugurate the "Let Freedom Ring" celebration in 1969.

At the conclusion of the Concurrent Resolution, Mr. Lewis briefly described the Society’s purpose in conducting the program, the role of the Color Guard, and the Society’s partnership with Welcome America. He thanked those organizations who were participants in the 1998 program: the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Mid-Atlantic; the Fairmont High School (Minnesota) Marching Band; the Independence Hall Jazz Band; the Second Pennsylvania Regiment; the Colonial Philadelphia Fife and Drum; and the 111th Fighter Wing Honor Guard and Drill Team, Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Mr. Lewis then introduced the keynote speaker, Maj. Gen. (S) Parks, who addressed the crowd not only as the representative of General Henry H. Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but also on behalf of the 2.4 million men and women in the active and reserve armed forces of the United States. General Parks noted that the earliest American soldiers — those at Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga — were the ones who inspired the Founders Fathers to declare the nation’s independence and he built his address on that historical foundation, concluding that today’s U.S. military services "continue to safeguard America and our founding ideals." Mayor Rendell congratulated General Parks on the timeliness of his remarks and then addressed the crowd on the rehabilitation of Washington Square and its near-term inclusion in Independence National Historical Park. A tripartite partnership of the City’s Fairmount Park Commission, the Federal government’s National Park Service, and a private, historic preservation organization, the American Revolution Patriot Fund had raised sufficient funds to re-landscape the entire seven-acre Square in conformance with the high standards of the National Park Service. This required that the Square be closed for a period of three years, while extensive rehabilitation took place. In the interim, the annual "Let Freedom Ring" program would be restricted to Independence Square and the Liberty Bell Pavilion on Independence Mall. At the conclusion of the Mayor’s remarks, President Lloyd introduced the Liberty Bell tappers to the audience and described the ceremony they were about to lead. Mr. Lloyd and Mayor Rendell then left the platform and led the group north, across Chestnut Street to the Liberty Bell Pavilion on Market Street. Benjamin Franklin, the Colonial Philadelphia Fife and Drum, and the 111^th Fighter Wing Honor Guard accompanied the Bell tapper group, with music by the Fairmont High School Marching Band. Sergeant Van Norman and the members of his Honor Guard marched at the head of the column.

Mr. Lewis returned to the podium and announced the taped address of Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), who was the official spokesperson for the 1998 "Let Freedom Ring" National Bell Ringing Ceremony. The tape was timed so that it concluded just at 2:00 p.m. At that moment the great bell of Independence Hall struck its first sound and signaled the beginning of the national bell ringing tribute to the nation’s birthday.

As the bell in Independence Hall slowly tolled thirteen times, the Bell tappers simultaneously struck the Liberty Bell with white-gloved hands. In the Liberty Bell Pavilion television cameras from all the national networks recorded the event for that evening’s newscast and bells pealed in unison all across the city and the nation. The Bell tappers then took questions from the media, describing the historical significance of the Signers of the Declaration and giving their own definitions of liberty. Back at Independence Square, Judge Lynn stepped to the microphone and sang the National Anthem in a fine baritone voice. After a musical interlude, performed by the Independence Hall Jazz Band, the Bell Pavilion group returned to the platform on Independence Square.

Master of Ceremonies Lewis then introduced General President Etter, who read the entire Declaration of Independence. President Lloyd delivered brief remarks on the historical significance of Washington’s Square and congratulated the City of Philadelphia, the Fairmount Park Commission, the National Park Service, and the American Revolution Patriot Fund on the successful campaign to restore Washington’s Square and incorporate it within the bounds of Independence National Historical Park. Following Mr. Lloyd’s address, the Fairmount High School Marching Band performed a third selection and the 111^th Fighter Wing Honor Guard’s Drill Team captured the complete attention of the audience with an amazing Precision Drill.

The program concluded with a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace," performed on bagpipes by Pipe Major Emeritus Dennis L. Hangey, of the Pipes and Drums of the Delaware Valley; an artillery salute by the Second Pennsylvania Regiment; taps, played by the Mirandola Consort; and a benediction by Rev. Carlson.

Just as Rev. Carlson finished, Independence Square was filled with the sound of a flyover by four A-10 "Warthogs" by the 111^th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Major Scott R. Hreso, Operations Officer.

Mr. Lewis stepped to the microphone and said, "Captain Salisbury, the Color Guard will now retire the colors."

"Let Freedom Ring" concluded at 2:47 p.m.

"Let Freedom Ring" was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution and its Color Guard in partnership with Sunoco Welcome America!, the City of Philadelphia's "ten-day extravaganza celebrating America's Birthday in America’s birthplace.

To Table of Contents

ADDRESS OF MAJ. GEN. (SELECT) GARRY L. PARKS, USMC

Mayor Rendell, Mr. Lloyd. Thank you for inviting me to your wonderful city and thank you for making me a part of this inspiring ceremony. Distinguished guests, my fellow Americans, visitors from foreign lands who are joining us to celebrate this magnificent day ...

Good afternoon! What a terrific crowd this is. Thanks to everyone for coming out today, everyone from this beautiful and historic city, and everyone who’s come from so many far away places to share your patriotism and your enthusiasm. I wish a happy "Fourth of July" to all of you.

It is a great honor for me to be here in Independence Square, Philadelphia, to take part in the National Bell Ringing Ceremony. The honor is so great because we’re reenacting that moment in July 1776 when the Liberty Bell tolled to proclaim the birth of our great Nation.

And let us not forget that as the bell rang out, the whole world listened. At that moment, our Founding Fathers created a model of democracy and liberty that is still, more than ten generations later, admired throughout the world. At that moment, finally, certain truths were self-evident: that all people are created free and equal; that we are endowed with human rights that no one can take from us; and that government is an instrument not of lords and kings, but of the common people, like you and me. At that moment, the world changed forever.

What a great day this is!

I’m also honored to be here for another, equally important reason. I stand before you not as a lone Marine, but as the representative of the 2.4 million men and women of America’s active and reserve Armed Forces, every one of them an extraordinary patriot, the current guardians of our democracy and our freedom.

The men and women in uniform today uphold a proud military heritage that began even before our Nation was born. Long before John Hancock defiantly flourished his pen across the Declaration of Independence, American citizens had already taken up arms. Nearly fifteen months had passed since the fateful skirmishes at Lexington and Concord. And American soldiers had already earned a hallowed place in history for their courage and determination at the battles of Bunker Hill and Fort Ticonderoga.

It was the spirit of those earliest American soldiers, it was their passion for the cause of liberty, that inspired the Founding Fathers to come together, to draft, and to sign the Declaration of Independence. They knew that words alone could not create a nation. They knew that the colonies would win independence only if the ordinary citizens — the farmers and the artisans — were willing to fight and even to die for the sacred cause. When the Signers of the Declaration mutually pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, they knew that so many of their countrymen had already done so by taking a gun in hand and marching off to fight for a new country and its ideals.

The struggle for independence continued for five more years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. American soldiers, sailors, and marines fought in bloody battles and endured countless hardships to earn the blessings of liberty that became the birthrights of all Americans.

But the end of the Revolutionary War did not end the need for our military. Throughout our history, America’s Armed Forces have been called upon many times to protect what the early patriots fought so hard to win. Each time, our men and women in uniform performed superbly, meeting the challenge with courage, with dedication, and with unmatched professional skill.

Today, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen continue to safeguard America and our founding ideals. Their mission often entails sacrifice, hardship, and lengthy separation from family and friends. Yet they serve their fellow citizens with the same pride and dedication, with the same Spirit of ’76, as those who fought to establish America 222 years ago.

On Independence Day, as Americans commemorate our Nation’s birth, we also honor those throughout our history who have worn the uniform. Their service and sacrifice have done so much to make America great. They have made this a day to celebrate. So long as our Armed Forces remain strong, so long as every man and woman in uniform is ready, then freedom’s holy light will shine brightly across America as a beacon of hope for all humanity.

In just a few moments, at 2 o’clock, we will tap the Liberty Bell. As we do, I will have the sense of an unbroken link to America’s past, to the events of that muggy July afternoon in 1776. The link is unbroken because the ideals and the virtues upon which our Nation was founded remain today so true and so much a part of the lives of all Americans. And also, because our military, the finest in the world, remains on duty.

On behalf of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, thank you for joining me to celebrate the founding of our great nation. And may God bless America, as He certainly has done all of these 222 years.

To Table of Contents

ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT MARK FRAZIER LLOYD

Less than a year after the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Continental Congress gathered again in Philadelphia, this time to organize the thirteen states against the British army and to do its best to manage a war time economy. One of the delegates, the future President, John Adams, walked from Independence Hall to the corner of 6^th and Walnut Streets, where he spent an hour in Washington Square. Later that same day he wrote a letter describing what he saw. Adams said this,

Adams wrote in April 1777, the spring before the British army sailed south from New York City and drove the American Revolutionaries from the field at Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown, before the countless soldiers wounded and captured at those and other sites in and around Philadelphia that fall were brought into the city during the British occupation in the winter of 1777 — 1778 and left to die in the Walnut Street prison and elsewhere. If Independence Hall is our great national symbol of political self-determination, then Washington Square is surely the counter-balancing symbol of responsibility. If we glory in the leadership and wisdom of the Signers, then we must also bow our heads in humility before the self-sacrifice of the unknown soldiers buried in Washington Square.

For more than a century, the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution has stood among the leaders of Philadelphia’s volunteer service organizations in promoting and sustaining the preservation of Independence Hall. We have sponsored "Let Freedom Ring" on Independence Square for thirty years. And for a decade now, we have conducted a wreath-laying ceremony on Washington Square in honor of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution. This year and next, while Washington Square is being restored, we will demonstrate our respect for those buried there, from this place in Independence Square. We applaud the City of Philadelphia, the Fairmount Park Commission, the American Revolution Patriots Fund, and the National Park Service for the work they are doing to make Washington Square an integral part of Independence National Historical Park and we look forward to returning this portion of our Let Freedom Ring ceremony to Washington Square on July 4^th in the year 2000.

To Table of Contents