Abraham Louis DeMoss, Founder of Bellevue, Tennessee Grave Marking Ceremony

Along the trails of Tennessee today, in Bellevue, The Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution held a ceremony at the Old DeMoss Cemetery marking the grave of it's founder, Abraham Louis DeMoss. The TSAR Color Guard presented a three - volley musket salute, author/historian, Ridley Wills, gave a wonderful account of the DeMoss family and even held a Justice of the Peace book by Judge John Haywood - owned by Louis DeMoss, circa 1811. It was fitting salute to a solid patriot on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Bruce and I sang a song we wrote with Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver "Our Patriot Dream." We were honored to be a part. Bruce is playing his father's mandolin.

 

 

 

 

 

Playing "Our Patriot Dream"

 

 

With Ridley Wills and Nina Tackett

 

 

 

Awards Ceremony at Nolensville Elementary School

 

     Along the trails of Tennessee, on a clear sky day, May 15th, I presented The Declaration of Independence to Stanley Barnes, the third grader who won State and S.E. Division ( AL., FL., GA, MS., S.C., N.C., and TN.) in the Junior American Citizens Short Story Contest for his rendering of My Day with Ben Franklin. Stanley and his mother, Andrea, had already received the Certificate of Award(s) in a presentation at our monthly Fort Nashborough luncheon, May 8th. The Declaration of Independence was something extra to be presented again.

 

My friend, and Stanley's teacher, Jane Lauer (pictured below), is a good example of  a teacher who truly cares about her students. Teaching, to Jane Lauer, is more than just a J-O-B. It was a pleasure to be able to encourage the 18 other students in Mrs. Lauer's classroom after the school assembly by presenting each of them with a Junior American Citizen Certificate of Award for writing exceptional stories. All the children show amazing promise and imagination. It was a joy-filled event!

 

 

 

Nolensville Elementary School Principal, Paula Waits, reviewing Stanley's awards.

 

 

Andrea Barnes, Stanley Barnes, and me at our Fort Nashborough luncheon The University Club at Vanderbilt University, May 8th.