Even George Washington himself might have felt some pangs of nostalgia for those winter days at Valley Forge had he been at his Mount Vernon Estate this July 4. With temperatures in the 90’s and a heat index pushing over 100, tree shade was at a premium. But, it didn’t deter nearly 5,000 visitors from participating in a wide variety of events both at the Estate and the Grist Mill, located three miles from Washington’s home on Route 235.
Beginning with Gen. Washington, portrayed by William Sommerfield, inspecting his troops assembled on the Estate’s Bowling Green to a wreathlaying ceremony by the George Washington Chapter, Sons of The American Revolution, this July 4 celebration at Mount Vernon was all red, white and blue.
In fact, that is exactly what occurred at 11 a.m. again on the Bowling Green. A “Red,White and Blue Concert” by the National Concert band under the direction of Marshall Hawkins filled the air with patriotic music for 75 minutes, beginning with “This Is My Country.” And, heat or no heat, the audience got into the spirit by clapping and, at times, singing.
Preceding the concert was a wreathlaying ceremony by the George Washington Chapter, Sons of The American Revolution, on the lawn adjacent to the Washingtons’ tomb. “It is our duty to celebrate the longevity of our nation and its principles,” said C. Russell Shearer, chapter president.