Ceremony held in Blacksburg, SC
October 7, 2007
Sam Powell, PhD, President, NCSSAR
King’s Mountain, October 7, 2007
Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
I bid you good health… and safe travel.
My name is Sam Powell and
I am the President of the North Carolina Society, Sons of the American Revolution
I bring welcome from our 700 member society. We are proud to offer our
support of this annual event.
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank LTC Frank Horton, USA Ret., Mr. Steve Pittard, and the members of the Marquis De Lafayette Chapter from Fayetteville, North Carolina, for their effort to assist in arranging this event and for handling pre-registration.
I would like also to thank the South Carolina Society and President Rick Corbett, who will bring his welcome also, for his and their encouragement and support.
Let us now also recognize, with a round of applause, the kind support of the National Park Service Superintendent of King’s Mountain National Park – Erin Broadbent. Thank you Superintendent Broadbent for sharing your site with us today.
We have representatives with us today from the states of North Carolina, South Carolin, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas; from the Sons, Daughters and Children Societies of the American Revolution; as well as National Representatives of the SAR, Colonial Dames and Colonial Dames 17th Century. Other representatives are here from the Sons of the Revolution, Over-the-Mountain Men, Society of the Cincinnati, Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge, NC Society Order of Founders and Patriots, Georgia 30 at King’s Mountain, and the Hughs, Jordan and related families.
Thank all of you for your attendance.
The Battle of King’s Mountain, fought here October 7, 1780 (227 years ago today) was of tremendous importance. It was a major turning point in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. It was a significant victory by American Patriots (the over-the mountain-men) over American Loyalists led by British Major Patrick Ferguson, who was killed during this battle. It destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis’ British army, and had a major detrimental impact on Loyalist ascendance in the Carolinas. The victory halted Cornwallis’s advance into North Carolina and gave Nathanael Greene an opportunity to reorganize the American Army for a subsequent major defeat of the British at Cowpens. It is, therefore, fitting for us to remember this anniversary with the appropriate reverence and dignity it deserves.
Today we honor those who risked their lives and fortunes, and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the cause for freedom.
The North Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution is proud to stand with you in remembrance of those brave men who would dare to declare their right to be free and independent.