The annual Elijah Clarke Day, Heroes of the Hornets' Nest Commemoration, was held Friday, February 9, at the Elijah Clarke State Park beginning at 9 a.m. The Brier Creek Artillery arrived at the park around 8 a.m. and started setting up their "Traveling Trunk" demonstration sites. Event Coordinator Bill Tankersley organized the event starting with the firing of all five cannons and flintlocks at 10 a.m. and then again at 11:45 a.m. Eight-five students from area schools enjoyed a morning of Revolutionary War artifacts and the firing of cannons and flintlocks. Those with traveling trunk sites were Steve Burke (Wiregrass Chapter - Swainsboro), Alton McCloud (Little River Chapter - Thomson), Ted Walker (President, South Carolina Society) and Bernard Martin (Brier Creek Chapter - Screven County). The Friends of the Park fed us a great lunch at 12 p.m. and the Commemoration began at 1:30 p.m. After the welcome by Coordinator Bill Tankersley, the invocation was said by the Georgia Society Chaplain Edward Anderson. The Combined SAR Color Guard, commanded by Scott Collins then presented the colors, then the National Anthem was sung, the Pledge of Allegiance was given, the pledge to the Georgia Flag was recited and the SAR Pledge was offered. Greetings were then given by GASSAR President Ed Rigel, Jr., NSSAR Secretary General Darryl Addington, NSSAR South Atlantic District Vice President General James Wyrosdick and GSSNS-DAR First Vice Regent Helen Powell. After the speaker, (Dr. Hubert P. Van Tuyll), presented his speech, the Heroes of the Hornet's Nest Wreath Presenters, organizations and Descendants presented their Wreaths. There were 90 wreaths presented. Following this was the three-round volley of the Brier Creek Artillery's five cannons and the Elijah Clarke Militia's flintlocks. Taps was then played by Charles Hall, Jr., Coweta Falls Chapter. After this, the retirement of the Colors was performed by the Combined SAR Color Guard, the benediction was offered, the SAR Recessional was said and closing remarks were given by Bill Tankersley.
