The Thomas Rodney Chapter of the NSDAR hosted a celebration on Saturday, June 14, commemorating America's 250th anniversary and featuring a ‘Meet Me at the Tree’ ceremony. Originally planned for Old Middleton Cemetery in Winona, the event was relocated to the Montgomery County Arts Council due to inclement weather.
A wonderful crowd gathered along with the event hosts. The celebration opened with the posting of the Colors, and invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Paula McCaulla, Past Regent, then presented to the guests the history of Old Middleton Cemetery, which was established in 1833. Following this historic background, Kay Emmons, whose husband served as president of the Lions Club from 1991 to 1993, spoke about the restoration efforts. The Lions Club members, along with their families, undertook the task of cleaning up and restoring what remained of Old Middleton Cemetery.
Emmons explained that the club at that time, included members of diverse ages—some recent college graduates alongside World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans. With such a wide range of generations represented, the club pursued a project that would unite young and old members. That vision brought the Old Middleton restoration project to life.
Emmons shared that the restoration effort required tremendous dedication and hard work. After years of neglect, the cemetery had sustained considerable damage. While many markers were lost entirely, the Lions Club was able to salvage and restore approximately sixty headstones. Since they could not determine the original placement of these markers, the club erected a central monument within the cemetery. The surviving markers now rest on the monument, serving as a lasting tribute to those buried in this historic cemetery.
Co-Chair of the Mississippi America 250 Committee Jolynn White then addressed America's upcoming 250th anniversary, which will be celebrated on July 4, 2026. She explained that the goal of America 250 is to encourage Americans to pause and reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of all who have shaped our country, and look toward the future with purpose.
Regent Norma Biggers followed, speaking about the Liberty Tree tradition and its connection to the day's 'Meet Me at the Tree' ceremony. She described the Sons of Liberty, an organization founded by Samuel Adams to protest British taxation. The group would rally around Liberty Trees—large trees in town squares that became symbols of colonial resistance and freedom, serving as meeting places where patriots gathered to plan protests and voice their opposition to British policies.
The program then moved to the tree dedication, led by MSSDAR State Chaplain Misty Booth and Thomas Rodney Chapter Chaplain Priss Ferguson. The Liberty Tree will be planted at Old Middleton Cemetery.
"This tree will be planted in commemoration of the original Liberty Tree that stood in Boston, Mass. from 1646 to 1775, which served as a meeting place for the Sons of Liberty," Chaplain Ferguson said.
The program concluded with Speaker of the House Jason White presenting the Thomas Rodney Chapter, NSDAR, with a proclamation recognizing their contributions toward celebrating "America 250" in Mississippi. The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of how local communities continue to honor and preserve the legacy of American freedom.
