Battlefields Of American Revolution First Day Ceremony Today

Today I attended my first first day ceremony!

https://uspsonlinesolutions.wufoo.c...knk602gaa47/
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/nat...volution.htm

I live a couple of towns away from both Lexington & Concord MA, and yet have NEVER attended any Patriot's Day events! The entire area basically closes down for parades and ceremonies. This year, the 19th is on a Saturday AND it is the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolution, so it will be NUTS around there.

Today, though, is a Wednesday and it was super easy to get to the first day ceremony for the "Battlefields of the American Revolution" issue.

FIRST, even though I used the online RSVP form, my name did not appear on the "reserved seating" list. No biggie, as I need to sit where I can escape or my anxiety kicks in. But still... pretty hack...

SECOND, most of the people attending seemed to NOT be serious stamp collectors. At least not outside the ceremony tent.

THIRD, non-collecting locals slow down the lines for both buying and canceling stamps...

FOURTH, the guy who cancelled my covers (there were 2 men) was nice, and seemed to actually enjoy his task. After I mentioned the ink he was using must have alcohol in it, he said he was getting high from breathing in the fumes!! ;-) Probably kidding... probably...

FIFTH, fife and drums sound nifty when you are actually listening to them and not a recording.

I'll post pics for any hardcore info folks here who may be interested, once I get them off my phone. I actually had a nice chat with two men in the cancel-line who "had the same views as myself". If you live in Massachusetts, you may understand what I mean by that...

Did anyone from the forum also attend??

That is really cool. I've only gone to one ceremony before, but I'm not opposed to traveling to one if it's not too far and the schedule permits. I sadly didn't go to this one, but I am glad to hear that it went well.

I also attended the FDC Ceremony with my Wife. All in all it was a very well planned & run event. About par for this. Just as an FYI: I do not believe that the RSVP is to insure a seat. I think it's used to determine approximate number of attendees. The reserved seating is usually for politicians, local, state, USPS reps, Location members, speakers, organizers & specific organization members etc..

After the event I did take a walk down to the North Bridge & saw the expanse of the battlefield One thing I did pick up on was the emphasis on the justification of the Battle & the Revolution as a whole. Every speaker insured that the attendees were reminded as to what Liberty, Justice costs and the price needs to be accounted for through the Constitution.

We had a great time & got our program, one signed, a flag to 'hazzaah, hazzaah' and a lapel pin of the issue. I am patiently awaiting my order from Stamp Fulfillment of the full sheet & set of Complete FDCs.

Makes sense, though the list the lady was looking at was pretty darn long! :-)

It's Massachusetts, all the Pols & Dignitaries , especially the locals, get an invite. The whole front section (except last 2-rows) was reserved, plus about 5 rows against the rear left wall, along with the section at the entrance for the Fife & Drum. There was a large number of standing attendees at the immediate exterior by all the entrance openings. Nice pics. I was able to grab a Front row end seat (posting of colors came from my left) @ the right side/corner of the stage (facing)

Thanks for sharing this. I live very nearby and know exactly where that was just from the photos but unfortunately I wasn't able to attend. I don't collect FDCs but having grown up in the area I have a number of locally postmarked FDCs and commemorative covers from the bicentennial, which would be nice to add to so I'll have to pick up some.

I've probably been to a dozen FDoI ceremonies - can't get enough of them. The program, pin and first day cover are great take aways. Sometimes the comments about the creation of the stamp(s) are very interesting. Other times they're very formulaic. Helps to have people participate who really care about the issue.

One of my spare cards from the event:




Need to scan some of the nicer ones :-)

Thanks for sharing! Appreciated!