The Lexington Minuteman

Location: Lexington, Massachusetts

Features: Monument on the Lexington Green

History: The date of this post, April 19, marks the 239th anniversary of the first battles of the American Revolution.  The opening shots came at dawn on the Lexington Green as the British Regulars confronted the assembled militia.  The monument is said to be a likeness of Captain John Parker, leader of the local militia.

Traveler's Notes: This is the starting point of the Lexington to Concord route that is simply filled with historical sites from early Americana.  In October 2013, I marched the distance from Lexington to the Old North Bridge in Concord, following the path of the British column.  I stopped along the way to record as many of the attractions as time allowed. These to be featured in future posts.

Resources: Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord, John_Parker_(captain)

PAASL February 2014

Saturday night was the latest PAASL meeting hosted by Dave Kleinschmidt.  Five brave souls faced another round of Winter 2014 as we made our way to the NW suburbs.  I matched up with Tom B. for J139 Light Aid Detached.  This is an interesting scenario featuring partisans attempting to hold off a mixed German column.  The partisans must buy time for a small British repair crew to hastily man a pair of vehicles in defense of their undermanned facility.  Also in attendance was newcomer Eric O. who matched wits with Mark W.  in a small scenario from Valor of the Guards.

Flying Colors - Minorca

This week Dan K. and I took to the seas with GMT's Flying Colors.  We started with Minorca, a naval battle between Britain and France during the Seven Years' War.  The British closed the gap on the French line quickly and powerful broadsides were exchanged.  A lucky shot killed the French Admiral on turn 4 quickly followed by an unlucky roll which broke the French fleet.

Britain has the wind gauge.

Ramillies fires on the Foudroyant - the Marquis is lost!

U.S.S. Lexington Memorial

Location: Lexington, Massachusetts

Features: Series of monuments with plaques each representing one of the United States naval ships named "Lexington."

History: In honor of its place as the location of the start of the American Revolution, Lexington has given its name to several warships of the United States Navy.  The monuments here detail the exploits of these five ships:
-16 gun brigantine of the Revolutionary War era
-18 gun sloop-of-war seeing action during the 19th century including use during the Mexican War and sailing with Perry on his expedition to open Japan
-river gunboat of the American Civil War
-CV-2 "Lady Lex" Aircraft Carrier of the Battle of Coral Sea fame during World War II
-CV-16 "Blue Ghost" Aircraft Carrier of World War II

Traveler's Notes:  The U.S.S. Lexington Memorial stands out as a moving tribute to the legacy of these ships and the men who served aboard them.  Located nearby is a Visitors Center with additional information. Unfortunately it was closed at the time of my visit due to the late hour.

Resources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Lexington_(CV-2), en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Lexington_(CV-16)

16 Gun Brigantine

18 Gun Sloop

River Gunboat

CV-2 "Lady Lex"

CV-16 "Blue Ghost"

Concord Monument Square Civil War Monument

Location: Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts

Features: Granite obelisk

History:  Monument honoring those residents of Concord lost in the American Civil War.  It was dedicated in 1867.

Traveler's Notes: Photographed October 2013.

Resources: http://ctmonuments.net/2010/05/monument-square-concord-mass/

USS Constitution

Location: Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts

Features: USS Constitution is open for self-tours of the deck and guided tours of the lower decks.  USS Constitution museum contains excellent exhibits, demonstrations, model ship building, films, library and gift shop.

History: The USS Constitution or "Old Ironsides" is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat, launched in 1797.  She is most famous for her actions against the British during the War of 1812.  Since that time the ship has been used in a variety of roles including life as a training ship during the American Civil War, as a ship of state and as a museum ship.  After numerous repairs over the past 200 years, the Constitution is now restored to her appearance during the 1812 period in celebration of the war's bicentennial.

Traveler's Notes: Standing on the deck of a 200 year old frigate is as close to the experience of entering a time machine as one can get.  The ship is more than just a piece of history, it is a piece of the past that has to be kept alive by the knowledge of her craftsman and skill of her crew.  This spirit of tradition permeates the Constitution and allows you to experience a different age as it was lived. Without the continued dedication of these preservationists this will all be lost to us.

Resources: http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/index.html, http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/

Charlestown Navy Yard

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Features: Historic United States Navy shipyard, dry dock, Visitor Center, USS Constitution, USS Cassin Young, USS Constitution Museum

History:  The Charlestown Navy Yard served the US Navy from 1800-1974.  Warships from all of the United States' conflicts were built, maintained and supplied from these docks.  Full tours are available for the USS Constitution, the Navy's oldest heavy frigate, and the USS Cassin Young, World War II era destroyer.  The entire complex offers an array of interpretive displays relating the history of the location and the warships.

Traveler's Notes:  For anyone taken with the romance of the Age of the Fighting Sail, this is one place not to miss.  I greatly underestimated the amount of time a comprehensive visit would take at this amazing National Park.  If you have an interest in the US Navy, particularly the naval aspects of the War of 1812, plan a reasonable amount of time to take it all in.

Resources: http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/cny.htm; http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/ussconstitution.asp;http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/usscassinyoung.htm