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I had the honor and privilege March 10 of being a guest at the dedication of a historical marker in High Point honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War.

As I walked up to the roped off area in downtown, I recognized many familiar faces from Greensboro. Bill Snyder and other members of the Nathanael Greene Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution color guard were standing at attention waiting for their cue. The Guilford Courthouse Fife and Drum Corps was also present.

Bettye Milligan, regent of the Arthur Forbis Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution , and I, regent of the Guilford Battle Chapter, rode together from Greensboro. When we arrived, we greeted members of the Alexander Martin Chapter of DAR, host for this event.

The colors were proudly presented under the morning sun. We were all there together with a common bond — patriotism.

“The liberties enjoyed in America today are the legacy of brave, strong patriots,” Regent Laine Ruehle said. “This marker preserves the memory and spirit of those who fought for our American independence. In remembering the past we honor the patriots who aided and advanced the cause of independence.”

After dedicating the marker, she introduced Major Gregory A. Wynn of the U.S. Marine Corps. His uniform had caught my eye earlier. He stood there as young as my son, proud to be a Marine. As a young man with maturity and experience, he stated how important it was to dedicate this marker representing these men from the past. He reminded us how we are reaping the blessings and we must remember the sacrifices they made.

High Point Mayor Rebecca Smothers also greeted us and simply and eloquently stated that we were there to celebrate our freedom.

The theme continued as the next speaker, historian Aaron Clinard, chairman of High Point Downtown Improvement Committee, began by refreshing our memories of the early signers of the Declaration of Independence. He reminded us of the men who lost their lives, their property and even their families. Many lost their wealth and a few were even held in prison because of their hope for a free nation.

Clinard spoke of modern-day patriots serving in the military, reminding us that many are in Iraq missing their family gatherings, missing the birth of a new baby, missing the blessings of everyday life. He shared a personal story of his son’s homecoming from Iraq.

A crowd stood waiting for his son to step through the gate at the airport. When his son appeared, he saw his baby for the first time and his wife, his father and mother standing proudly next to them. He saw the banners and heard the cheers from about 60 people who had come for this happy occasion. As he walked through the terminal, people clapped and cheered. Tears freely fell from my eyes as I imagined this beautiful sight.

Lane Dallas, chaplain of the Alexander Martin chapter of DAR, followed with this appropriate prayer: “Almighty God, bless our country. May we, its citizens, be thankful for the blessings Thou hast bestowed upon us. Keep our country, home and family under thy loving protection.”

Wreaths were placed in front of the historical marker and Ruehle closed with this pledge that I challenge you to today: “We dedicate ourselves anew to a faithful stewardship of the blessings we enjoy today.”

Etta Reid, a local historian and educator, lives in Summerfield. She can be reached at etreid@aol.com.