By Julie McCay Turner
For many, many years John Filios, a long-standing member of the Bedford Minuteman Company, read the Declaration of Independence at noon on the Fourth of July.
The tradition was mentioned to Jon ‘OC’ O’Connor a couple of weeks ago. Learning that Filios, who celebrated his 100th birthday in October, 2016, would be unable to participate this year, O’Connor took on the project.
Borrowing a tricorn from Bedford resident and Lexington Minuteman Peter Ricci, O’Connor and a small group representing Boy Scout Troop 194 and American Legion Post 221, gathered at the edge of Veterans Memorial Park to read the Declaration.
Said one participant, “We may be small in number this year, but with better notice we trust that there will be a greater turnout in 2018.”
Click this link to read the full text of the Declaration of Independence
OC, I love your energy and commitment to our country’s founding values. Thanks!