Battle of Lexington and Concord – Sponsored by the Guardian Foundation

EFR has been contacted by Jim Bravico, Commandant/President of the Marine corps league, Detachment 708, and President Guardian Foundation. The group is located in Brooksville, FL. The Marine corps league detachment 708 is the largest detachment in the southeast. They are 400 strong in membership with associates of 175 and family and friends we number in the thousands. His organization handles the Marine color guard which services community events when called on. His organization is attempting to organize a Revolutionary War, “the first shot fired at Lexington and Concord” event. The date is May 21, 2022, with a start time for the reenactment of 1 PM. The location is the Hernando County fairgrounds in Hernando County, located just outside of Brooksville Florida.

This event will not be long, maybe an hour max. It will coincide with a flea market, art and craft show, and car show to be held on the site. Jim is looking for both minutemen and British regulars. The event will simply be to form two lines. A shot will be fired by someone from an unknown area (the shot heard around the world) and a reenactment will occur for 15 to 30 minutes max. Paul Revere will ride in on a horse after the shooting starts. The British will then retreat. Afterward, living historians will be asked to stay around, meet with visitors, and then be free to enjoy any of the activities that afternoon. We are welcome to come early.

Dress is rev war, no uniforms. Flintlocks only. participants should bring about 10 paper cartridges each. There will be no hand to hand, bayonets, or ramrods. Clothes are breaches, socks, tricorns, waistcoats, long coats, buckle shoes if you have them. The other appropriate dress will be British uniforms. Distaff is welcome.  We can use flag bearers, distaff attending the wounded, etc. Participants will meet at 10 am in and around the restaurant on site for a quick planning meeting. This is a great opportunity to raise money for 1st responders in and around Hernando County and thank our military for their serice.

The Guardian Foundation is supplying 20 people, 10 in British uniforms. However, they do not have muskets. His group is in desperate need of re-enactors with experience in live fire (smoke), and/or supply some extra rifles for show. See the flyer if interested. There will be both press and TV coverage at the event. It is an excellent chance to generate interest in “living history.” It will be very good PR for the Historic Florida Militia.