The General Galvez Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will lead two events on April 19 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of the American War of Independence.

The first event will be a flag ceremony at 3 p.m. at Foley Centennial Park, located at the intersection of Highways 59 and 98. In partnership with the City of Foley, the SAR will raise a 13-star American flag at the veterans commemorative flagpole in the park. A color guard dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms will participate, alongside members of the SAR and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who will be in colonial-era attire. The City of Foley will present a proclamation to honor the Battle of Lexington, which took place on April 19, 1775.

The Battle of Lexington was the first military engagement between the British Army and American militia, beginning when a British force marching to Concord fired on American militia, killing eight and forcing a retreat. Later, a much larger American militia in Concord repelled the British. On the British retreat to Lexington, the Lexington militia, led by Captain John Parker, confronted the British, inflicting heavy casualties. These skirmishes marked the start of a war that would last eight years and ultimately lead to American independence.

Following the flag ceremony, at 4 p.m. in the meeting room of the Foley City Library, Dr. James Corum, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and author of 17 military history books, will give a lecture on the Battle of Lexington. The talk is sponsored by the General Galvez Chapter of the SAR and is free to the public. Refreshments will be provided at the event.

Both events are open to all and serve as an opportunity to reflect on a crucial chapter in American history. The SAR and DAR, organizations of descendants of those who fought or supported the American Revolution, work to preserve and promote the history of the era and educate the public about the birth of the United States.

The City of Foley is actively involved in supporting the commemoration, as part of its broader initiative to honor and teach American history. Recently, Foley was recognized as a World War II Heritage City due to the significance of Barron Field, a crucial Navy aviation training center established in 1942.