The Darien 2020 Bicentennial Committee announces Anniversary Day on Saturday, June 12, an event to mark the date that Darien, Connecticut received its town charter.
The graveside ceremony at Slawson Cemetery will honor Thaddeus Bell, Jr., the Revolutionary War veteran who championed the cause of the town’s independence.
The event will begin at 5:45 pm. Please see the schedule below:
- 5:45 PM / Musical Prelude: Spirit of Black Rock Fife and Drum Corps
- 6:00 PM / Ringing of the Bells: Darien Houses of Worship and Darien Volunteer Fire Departments
- Presentation of the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance: Members of Scouts BSA – Troop 53
- Opening Remarks: Darien 2020 Bicentennial Committee Chairman Al Miller
- Opening Prayer: First Congregational Church of Darien Interim Senior Minister The Reverend Denise Terry
- Welcome: Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson
- Presentation of the Thaddeus Bell, Jr. Grave Marker: Honorary Regent Katherine Love and members of the Good Wife’s River Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Presented as a gift to the Town of Darien and the Bell family.
The Bicentennial Committee would like to extend its sincerest thanks to the members of the Good Wife’s River Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution for the Grave Marker, the Masonic Club of Darien for the donation of the base to Bell’s Grave Marker and to Andrew Melillo for the restoration of the gravestone of Thaddeus Bell, Jr.’s wife, Elizabeth Howe Bell.
- Excerpts from a Thaddeus Bell, Jr. Obituary: Reading by Alexis Lyons, member of Girl Scout Troop #50167
Taps: Performed by Tere Mak