|
|
||
Fourth of July celebrations in Port Royal will include a speech by "James Monroe" and bagpipes and drums marching through the town. Date published: 7/2/2009
By JIM MASON FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR A Fredericksburg actor and a Richmond-based bagpipes-and-drums band playing traditional Scottish tunes will have starring roles at Saturday's Independence Day gala in Port Royal. "I left the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg and entered the Continental Army as a lieutenant with the 3rd Virginia Infantry in 1776," said Jay Harrison III during an interview in which he played James Monroe. "I plan to stop off at Port Royal Saturday before continuing our march to New York." In Port Royal Saturday, he will resume playing 18-year-old Lt. James Monroe at the historic Rappahannock River town established in 1744 for Colonial Virginia's trade with England. Lt. James Monroe of the 3rd Virginia Infantry will greet townspeople and visitors at the town's St. Peter's Episcopal Church. He will be wearing his uniform complete with all accoutrements, including musket. Port Royal, in Caroline County, is on the Rappahannock, 20 miles east of Fredericksburg. Harrison, 49, is a seventh-generation native of Fredericksburg and a descendant of two American presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison. A 1982 graduate of the College of William & Mary, Harrison has regularly portrayed James Monroe, as soldier, statesman, diplomat and the fifth president, in living history programs for the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library in Fredericksburg. Instead of the British coming for Port Royal's Fourth, it will be the Scottish pipers and drummers in their full highland regalia, kilts and all. Port Royal will be welcoming the St. Andrew's Legion Pipes and Drums, and some wonder if they will be playing "Scotland the Brave." "We plan to have them perform just after the colors are presented and before the Pledge of Allegiance/national anthem, and then again as the militia delivers the Declaration of Independence, all between 11 and 11:45 a.m.," said Bill Henderson, the town's vice mayor and treasurer of Historic Port Royal Inc. "I would like to have them march around town, but I will leave that up to their leaders so see if they want to deal with the anticipated heat."
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
|
|
||||||||||||
