Ceremony held in Henderson remembers America’s first veterans

HENDERSON, Tenn. — A Memorial Day celebration in a local town takes us all the way back to the beginning.

The Memorial Day celebration in Henderson took place at 11 a.m. at the town’s city hall. Helping with the event were the Children of the Revolution and the American Legion Davidson-Haltom Post 157.

Colonial Soldier Private Henry Tyler Medlin was portrayed by his 7th generation descendant, retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Larry Newsom.

Here’s the oath that soldiers of the Continental Army of North Carolina would have taken, portrayed by Newsom.

“I, Henry Medlin, do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina and the United States of America. I will support and defend our liberty and independence against all enemies foreign and domestic. I renounce all loyalty to King George III and the British crown. I pledge to faithfully serve as a soldier in the cause of American freedom and to uphold the principles of justice, courage and duty to the best of my ability, so help me God,” said Newsom.

If you’re wondering why the oath was sworn to North Carolina and not Tennessee, it’s because Tennessee at the time was part of North Carolina and didn’t become a state of its own until 1796.

Also portrayed at the event was colonial child Hannah Haynes. The teenager was portrayed by Alyvia Baxter, who you may recognize as last year’s Miss Rockabilly Teen Volunteer.

Hannah Haynes was 13 at the time of the revolution. Her father was taken prisoner by British forces.

“My brother said that he was so very dirty when they found him. What a day of rejoicing we had when we saw him with my brothers as they brought him home to us,” Baxter read.

During the event, revolutionary era patriotic songs were played, along with our first unofficial national anthem: “Hail, Columbia” and the “Star Spangled Banner.” The ceremony concluded with Taps, followed by the raising of the flag to full mast at 12 p.m.

The nearby Henderson City Cemetery is the grave site of one of West Tennessee’s only revolutionary war soldiers.

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