[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:
Nice!!!!! 🇺🇸
Congratulations General Satterfield. What a great Patriotic event for South Jersey. We had a little ceremony on the 4th of July, but now everyone seems to have forgotten that our 250th birthday is ALL YEAR LONG. Let’s celebrate the greatest nation of earth, one that has done more for people around the world than any other.
Wish I could have been there. The Press of Atlantic City told readers ahead of time about the Spirit of 1776 South Jersey Celebration, and this write-up shows the Sept. 18–20 weekend at Veterans Memorial Park in Egg Harbor Township worked. One-time events are hard because people do not know what to expect, but the first program still filled the chairs and bleachers. Good weather helped, and the crowd was about what the planners hoped for, even if it ran a little light later. The same crew that handled the World War II statue dedication and the Vietnam War 50th anniversary put this 250th birthday event together too. Bringing in younger helpers was a smart move, because they add energy and learn how a big day gets done. People who came were proud of America, and that pride is easy to miss if you only watch the news. What happened in the park this weekend shows love of country is still strong in South Jersey. Thanks to everyone who planned it, showed up, and proved the spirit of 1776 is still alive here.
Ha Ha, good sketch.
EXACTLY ……