“Two Lights for Tomorrow,” America Begins its 250th Anniversary Celebration

 

In 2026 America will celebrate its founding 250 years ago. The initiative that is already sweeping the nation takes place on April 18^th.  “Two Lights for Tomorrow” honors the historic ride of Paul Revere.

On the night of April 18^th, 1775 Paul Revere warned the Sons of Liberty of approaching British troops by hanging lanterns in Boston’s Old North Church. “One if by land, two if by sea!” Revere’s signal marks America’s fight for liberty and independence. “The shot heard round the world” was fired the next day, beginning the American Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord.

Ohio will join other states across the country by displaying two lights in the statehouse at 8 PM on the night of April 18^th. Every household, business, and government office throughout the state is invited to participate. “Two Lights for Tomorrow” honors the spirit of unity, endurance, and the quest for freedom. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the sacrifices made by those minutemen for our freedoms that we so often take for granted. 

Some of Ohio’s 88 counties are already launching the celebration of the country’s birth. One of those is Ottawa County. Linda Huber, head of the county’s AM-250 Committee, received a flag from Ohio’s 250 Commission. County commissioners raised the flag at the County/City Government building in Port Clinton on March 6^th. Municipal and county buildings will join residents throughout Ottawa County in displaying two lights on the night of the 18^th.  On the 19^th Ottawa Countians are encouraged to remember Paul Revere’s act of service by undertaking their own volunteer projects. Some are planning cemetery cleanups, food drives, and assistance to the elderly at home and in care facilities.

On May 17^th at 1 PM, the Ottawa County Historical Society will dedicate a Daughters of American Revolution Patriot Marker at the gravesite of the Revolutionary War veteran Benajah Wolcott. The Wolcott Family Cemetery is located at the Keeper’s House in Danbury Twp. Four other Revolutionary War veterans are buried in Ottawa County: Isaac Ambler, buried in Danbury Twp.; John Clemons in Marblehead; and John Green(e) and Israel Harrington in Harris Twp. They will be honored at the event as well.

The bodies of John Greene and his daughter Diana Green(e) Thompson were reinterred in the Harris Elmore Union Cemetery through the efforts of the
DeLery Portage Chapter of the DAR of Ottawa County.  In 1930, the bodies of Green(e) and his daughter were brought from the neglected private cemetery on the Thompson farm located near the juncture of the Portage River and Sugar Creek in Harris Twp.

A version of this article appears online at Lifestyles 2000.