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07-04-09
Mt. Vernon
Large
turnout for Independence Day celebration at St. Paul's Church National Historic
Site
On
Saturday, July 4, a picture perfect day
attracted a large crowd of about 250 people to
the annual Independence Day celebration at St.
Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mount
Vernon. The event was held, as in previous
years, on the old village green.
St. Paul's Church was used as a hospital during the
Revolutionary War, and was the site of the
“Great Election” in 1773. The cemetery has
burials dating back to 1704.
Those in attendance came out to celebrate, not only
America’s Independence, but also to learn a
little history, and reflect on those who
suffered and triumphed to make this nation what
it is today.
Noticeably missing as the longtime Mistress of
Ceremonies was
Rosemarie
Cornacchio, who was replaced this year by George
Brown, Mount Vernon's City Clerk.
Once again, the Peter Lawrence Jazz Band was on hand to
provide great musical entertainment.
The Organization of Central Affairs Color Guard began
the celebration with the massing of colors.
After the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the
National Anthem by Danielle Esposito, Mayor
Clinton I. Young and City Councilman Marcus A
Griffith, presented a red, white, and blue
wreath by the flag pole located on the village
green. Following the wreath laying, Mayor Young
greeted the large crowd with a brief speech.
David Osborn, Site Manager of St. Paul's Church
National Historic Site followed Mayor Young to
the podium. As always, Osborn provided a great
history lesson on several important individuals
buried in the church's cemetery.
This year's keynote speaker was Bob Marrone, a radio
host with WVOX Radio.
In keeping with the tradition, John P. Banning, Jr.
read the “Declaration of Independence.”
Incredibly, for a
span of 126 years, Banning and his father and
his grandfather have been reciting the
Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of
July on the village green in front of St. Paul's
Church National Historic Site.
"Even in years when the town did not put on a ceremony,
my father would appear at the church, sometimes
in a heavy rain, to read the Declaration,"
Banning has told many.
Banning, an art dealer who was born in Mount Vernon and
now lives in Manhattan, stood on a flag-draped
dais with the mayor and other town officials. In
the past he has read from a tattered 1879
history book, which was passed on from his
grandfather, who died in 1924. Scrawled on the
book's back page was a note from his grandmother
urging her son to continue the tradition.
Banning, who is nearing 70, has a son who is expected
to continue the readings after he dies.
During the ceremony, many in the crowd sat on folding
chairs in front of the stone church, which was
completed in 1787, so it was easy to feel a part
of history.
The celebration ended with the tolling of the
Freedom Bell thirteen times for each of the
original colonies, allowing everyone to hear
freedom ring from the Saint Paul ’s Church
steeple.
The guests were provided with refreshments, and many
toured the historic site before departing.
George Brown, Mount Vernon's City Clerk, was the
MC
Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr.
Peter Lawrence Jazz Band
Danielle Esposito singing the National Anthem
Mayor Young (r) and Marcus A. Griffith
presenting a wreath
Part of the large crowd
David
Osborne
Marcus A. Griffith introducing the keynote
speaker
Bob Marrone
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