The City of Roanoke Rapids has requested an SAR Color Guard to lead the 2016 Christmas Parade and carry the city’s banner.  This is the eighth consecutive year the SAR has been given this honor.  The parade will step off at 2:00.  The Color Guard must be in position NLT 1:45.  Therefore, the Color Guard will assemble in the south parking lot of the Kirkwood Adams Community Center, 1100 Hamilton St., Roanoke Rapids, NC at NLT 1:15.  This parade is a 1.5 mile march.  A pre-event Dutch treat luncheon will be held at Ralph’s BBQ, 1400 Julian Allsbrook Highway, Weldon, NC at 11:30.  For further information, contact Ken Wilson at .

The Lower Cape Fear Chapter will conduct a Grave Marking of three Revolutionary War Patriots, Governor Benjamin Smith, William Dry and Alfred Moore on 11 December 2016 at 4:00 PM at the St Philip’s Anglican Church Cemetery in Old Brunswick Town, 8884 St Philips Rd, SE, Winnabow, NC 28479.  This will be in conjunction with other Revolutionary War activites conducted at this North Carolina Historic Site.

Directions:

Southeast District VP, David Mann, will be the Master of Ceremonies.  A candlelight service will be conducted in the church at 5:00 PM following the grave marking ceremony.

A Patriot Grave Marking is a service conducted by the Sons of the American Revolution honoring a Patriot from the American Revolution with an unveiling of a new grave marker or lug.  The service involves elements from:

(a) A US Military funeral

(b) A Church funeral

(c) The traditions, wishes and customs of the Patriot’s family

(d) The traditions, wishes and customs of the organization conducting the service

(e) The customs, wishes and traditions of the location of the grave site to include the church where the grave is located if appropriate.

(f) The items in this SAR instruction manual

There is not one exact order for the service honoring a Patriot since the requests of all elements are considered in organizing the service.  The traditions and customs for a service may vary depending on the physical location where the service is conducted as well as the individuals and organizations involved.  Other Patriot organizations, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, may conduct a Patriot Grave Marking service and the SAR may be invited to participate.  In this event, the protocols of the other organization would be followed by the SAR members involved in the grave marking.