The actors, complete in 1770s attire, portray several prominent delegates at the March 23, 1775, Second Virginia Convention, including Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, in addition to the participation of audience members who are encouraged to participate as delegates themselves. The reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention is a historically accurate representation of the event. It portrays the democratic process through passions of the revolutionary era and the animated debates that culminated in Henry’s clarion call for the breaking of the chains which bound Virginia to Great Britain (see short video). This production is a Virginia treasure, one that puts visitors back in time, and overwhelms them in a unique patriotic experience difficult replicate anywhere else.

This reenactment, exclusively for supporters and friends of The Family Foundation, has limited seating and a RSVP is required by this Friday. To reserve a seat, please call Marie Edwards at (804) 343-0010 or e-mail her at marie@familyfoundation.org.

For the convenience of individuals attending the swearing-in ceremony and other inaugural events, a bus will provide transportation to and from Saint John’s Church. It will leave the northwest corner of 9th and East Main Streets, in front of the One Capitol Square Building in which TFF’s offices are located, 2:45 p.m. The bus will return to the same location at the conclusion of the reenactment, at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Those who want to drive directly to Saint John’s Church should arrive by 3:20 p.m. and enter the property by the main gate on East Broad Street. An elevator is available for handicapped individuals on the 24th Street entrance.

For information about attending the swearing-in ceremony, which is free and open to the public, complete details are available at mcdonnellinaugural.com.

You are there! Patriot reenactors Washington, Jefferson and Henry.

Here a Lee, there a Lee . . . I’m Richard Henry Lee, an FFV, from the First Colony of VIRGINIA!

Not Thomas Jefferson. Richard Henry Lee. This resolution broke the bonds with the mother country. It was incorporated into the document that stated the reasons for our revolutionary break and our principles upon which the new country would stand — the Declaration of Independence.

The Lee Resolution said:

That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent states; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

The Declaration, including this phrase, was adopted later, and not made official until signed by Congress’ president, John Hancock, on July 4. Many of the Signers did not affix their names until August, and others still later.

Today, as well as the 4th, is a time for reflection on this country — its past and the blood spilled and toil given to create and preserve it — and prayer in thanksgiving for the greatness that it has become and for those who have guaranteed it through their sacrifice, as well as for its future. It’s a time to think about the meaning of our country’s founding and its founding principles. For us Virginians, it’s also a time of pride and reflection on our Commonwealth’s great contributions to the creation of this blessed country and all those since — and that continue today — that have so enriched America. 

On behalf of The Family Foundation of Virginia, we wish everyone a safe, fun and patriotic Independence Day Weekend. 

Where did the time go?

It has been a year since this online broadsheet tacked itself onto the world’s virtual public square sideboard, rousing the restful and focusing the restless like a town crier or, we’d like to think, like the Virginia Patriot Jack Jouett, who’s heroic 40-mile ride saved the lives of Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry and Thomas Nelson, Jr., in a ride more important, but not as famous, than Paul Revere’s.

Last year on this day we welcomed people to the truth (see first post here), promising to bring not the smack talk of many political blogs (God Bless’em, there are some good ones out there), but rather an intelligent discussion of issues, with some horse race and inside baseball politics when our time and interest allowed, and when our sources were talking. We also pledged to never back down on the truth, no matter how some may perceive it, because the truth is permanent and enduring, while political gain is fleeting. We’re not naive, either. We know the field on which we play, and so we mix in our own brand of snark and ridicule to those who so richly deserve it. After all, the truth can be expressed not just through fact and explanation, or through reasoned argument, but by more vernacular means. Our first sentence recognized the prominence of this new medium.

We also have had a full year of reporting events, from our Capitol Square Diary of General Assembly machinations, to U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Virginia cases, to live and one-on-one Interviews with state and national figures, to Virginia State Police Chaplains who were ordered to cease praying in Jesus’ name. We also have posted on the meaning of various holidays, patriotic television, pop culture and the media, about befriending legislators with whom we don’t always agree; and created, among other things,  interactivity with an Action Center, reader Polls and video posts. It’s been a full year, almost entirely fun, the little exasperation caused only from the wealth of topics and an already hectic schedule. Maintaining this blog is no one’s full-time job, though it can seem like it. Three quick stats: 433 posts (1.7 posts per working day) and 1,073 comments.

We’ve also openly professed our lack of expertise in most things technological. Our contributors do know how to write superbly, though, and that’s the essence of this anyway. The Virginia Gazette didn’t look so hot in the 1700s, either. Slowly, we’ve added gadgets and gizmos, learning the mechanics as we go along, and that, too, has been fun. We’re not the shiniest car on the block, but our motor hums ferociously. In keeping with the colonial/Captain Jouett theme it’s better said that we don’t have the prettiest horse in the stable, but he sure gallops a might! The blog is still pretty streamlined, as when we started, but it has grown into a vital portal of information on public policy in Virginia and on cultural and values issues at large.

Where has the time gone? Wherever it has, so too, has the truth. While we and several other worthwhile bloggers, grassroots organizations and alternative media sources continue to promulgate it in the on-going battle of ideas, not as much can be said for the body politic or the Mainstream Media. Whether it’s the General Assembly’s refusal to honestly deal with budget transparency or a handful of senators deviously plotting to restore taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood when it was effectively cut out of the budget, or a governor who disingenuously contrived reasons to cut abstinence education funding while misleading the legislature on the state’s revenue for the purpose of creating new government intrusions into functions where it has no business; or national candidates and radical political organizations who, between them, have, and are currently spending, more than a billion dollars to create a ”messianic” image of one candidate and distastefully distort the reputations of their opponents; the truth, sadly, has gone wanting in so many ways.

Still, there is optimism. Thousands read this blog, making us one of the most read political blogs in Virginia. Hundreds of others quote us. One year ago, we weren’t sure what direction this blog would go, only that each day would be an exciting challenge to discern  which important topics needed to be discussed and how best to get that point across, and deal with the constant change that is politics and policy through technology and new methods of communication.

We may adapt a little here and there to meet those challenges, just as Captain Jouett doubtlessly adapted his ride for the dangers of his mission. More than two centuries later, through a much different manner, we carry on his ride against every bit as determined a force — a ride for truth and just cause that shielded him and Virginia’s founders from the trials and dangers of their day. This first year has been a great ride. We hope you continue along with us for the entire journey.