Two hundred and twenty-nine years ago, our countryside was vastly different from the land we inhabit today. Neighbors were farther apart, homes were built mostly from lumber, culled from local forests, and wild animals were plentiful.

In these circumstances it seems painfully obvious that a need existed for cooperative support amongst neighbors to provide assistance and protection. As in today’s world we count upon our neighbors to watch the activities in our neighborhood, so too in the late 1700s, neighbor would help neighbor.

As more and more settlers from Europe moved to the countryside, native inhabitants were displaced or encroached upon. This action led to less than neighborly behavior on the part of all involved.

When homes were threatened, oftentimes it was by groups larger in number than the homes’ inhabitants. To form a group, not unlike our modern-day police department, seemed an idea whose time had come. When homes were threatened, by wild animals, disreputable peoples, or feuding neighbors, a body of men was required to help return peace to the community. This is the foundation for the local militia units, including the Lexington militia.

Of the members of the militia, certain men were chosen to be what today we may refer to as “first responders”. Their responsibility was to act quickly and decisively, to move to a scene, work to stabilize the situation, and maintain order until the arrival of the main body of the militia unit. Those first on the scene were called Minute Men.

As unrest grew between Great Britain and the Colonies, the militia units were increasingly brought under the commands of local men. Men whose community status provided them knowledge of the political undertakings of the times, and the ability to lead men in both action and thought. The militia units began to train for a possible defense of their community against increasingly frequent incursions being carried out by the units of His Majesty’s military.

With the Boston Tea Party only days away, the men of Lexington officially formed one of the first Minute Man units. December 13, 1773. The continuous existence of this unit is part of the heritage we attempt to maintain.

Through the Revolution, members of Lexington’s Militia served in many campaigns, including operations in Canada. In 1876, the Centennial Celebrations saw President Ulysses S. Grant visit Lexington to salute the 77 men who stood on Lexington Green that glorious spring morning. For that celebration, the Minute Men decided to attire the Company in an official military uniform for the first time. After much discussion, a decision was made to model the uniform on the blue and buff uniform worn by George Washington’s personal body guard. The uniform has changed slightly since that time. With various activities, the Lexington Minute Men were able to fund projects like the monument to the original Minute Men and other community undertakings. With the arrival of the Bicentennial, visits by President Gerald Ford and Queen Elizabeth provided the opportunity to serve as personal escorts. The re-enactment of 1976 was attended by over 18,000 people.

Besides numerous benefit activities, school and educational demonstrations, and our re-enactment, the Lexington Minute Men have marched in the inaugural parades of Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton.

The members of the Lexington Minute Men are required to research and portray one of the original members of the brave unit which faced the King’s soldiers. Each has pored over documents, letters, books, and manuscripts, searching for more on the identity of those magnificent heroes. As Lexington Minute Men it is our sacred duty to honor their memory, so future generations will understand that it was more than a mere battle. It was more than just a military confrontation. It was also more than just “the shot heard ‘round the world”.

They stood there for an idea larger than any political or economic ideology. Their determination was borne of an understanding of justice and freedom. Theirs is the only Revolution to succeed, thus far. It is up to each and every one of us to carry on the ideals for which they sacrificed. We owe them so much more.

The Lexington Minute Men traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in a dedication ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony at the Memorial Stone Marker to those first American war veterans, and a tree dedication, signifying the celebration of life in memory of the eight casualties of the battle, was a major focus for the Company in the year 2000.

Battle Road 2000 was the pre-eminent event of the new millennium. With units participating from all over the North American continent and Britain, the re-enactment of the retreat from Concord of the British Regulars represented a full-scale portrayal of the event of 1775.

With 800 Redcoats and nearly 2000 Militiamen, the logistics for the re-enactment took years to complete. Past Captain Gardner Hayward, Jr., was the organizational coordinator for the event from its inception nearly two years earlier.

The Future

The future for the Lexington Minute Men holds a promise to expand the current base of knowledge with regard to the known history of revolutionary America. The individual research carried on by the members of the organization will be gathered and incorporated into documents suitable for use in historical queries. The emergence of the Internet offers an opportunity to provide accurate historical information to people all over the world. The significance of April 19, 1775 must be appreciated beyond the confines of Lexington, Massachusetts, and The United States. The Internet provides that forum. Our research, much of it already available in great quantity, will be placed on the Lexington Minute Man web page. Character sketches and anecdotes, each available at the click of a mouse, can offer unlimited opportunities for the education of individuals not currently knowledgeable in details of that historic time.

Also in the future of the Lexington Minute Men is the gradual improvement of historical authenticity in accoutrements. The past few years has seen great strides in this area, as knowledge of appropriate clothing and equipment expands. What had been acceptable in past years, may next year be found historically inaccurate.

This is viewed as an improvement in our representation of history. Proper history must be projected with an understanding of the importance of accuracy. It is believed the celebration of the third millennium will find Lexington home to the Minute Men. With this belief, and the determination to maintain the integrity of the organization, the future is in our hands.