[September 20, 2026] Success. One-time, special events are always difficult to pull off. No one knows what to expect; they may not have heard about it. Because they’re unique, they have no experience to rely on. Fortunately, our Spirit of 1776 Commemoration celebrating America’s 250th Birthday was a success.
Success is often measured in total attendance and positive feedback from attendees. Our attendance was about what we had expected; perhaps a little light. The first program had the best attendance, filling all the chairs and bleachers at the center point of Egg Harbor Township’s Veterans Memorial Park. The good weather certainly helped attendance.
What is unique about this event is that the planners were almost the same in the WWII Statue dedication (in 2024) and the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (in 2025). I discovered the importance of bringing in younger folks with their energy and ideas. Plus, they can learn the ins and outs of making a complex event work.
This celebration of America was needed here in South Jersey. I’m surprised that so many folks are such great American Patriots. Person after person I talked to was so positive about America that it makes me wonder why the news media regularly reports waning attitudes about our country. What I saw and heard makes me believe much of the pushback on America is either exaggerated or from a small fringe section of the people.
Here is a sketch of those who did the hard work:
————
Please read my books:
Ha Ha, good sketch.