Today is Patriots Day, a day that reflects the freedom Boston has celebrated throughout its history. Boston is a tough and resilient town and so are its people. — President Obama, April 15, 2013
Hours before the explosions at the Boston Marathon, a much calmer and more celebratory event took place on the 2013 Patriot’s Day. The annual parade and April 18, 1775 re-enactment of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride was held on Monday morning at the Prado on Hanover Street in Boston’s North End.
As part of the 238th Patriot’s Day Celebration a flag raising on City Hall Plaza started the parade marching onto Kings Chapel on Tremont Street where a wreath was laid at the grave of William Dawes. The parade then proceeded to the Old Granary Burial Grounds where a wreath was be laid at the grave of Paul Revere. The ceremonies concluded with the re-enactment of the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere and William Dawes that occurred on April 18, 1775.
The re-enactment of Paul Revere’s ride occurred at the Paul Revere Mall on Hanover Street in front of the Old North Church where the Lanterns were lit the night before. This year’s rider from the Massachusetts National Lancers was COL. Richard Reale as Paul Revere.
State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz played the roll of Dr. Joseph Warren passing the military information to Paul Revere who galloped down Hanover Street on Brown Beauty. Also on hand were City Councilor Sal LaMattina, Old North Church Vicar Stephen Ayres and LTC (Ret.) Gerald T. Wellman who officiated the ceremonies. The Northeast Italian Band also marched in the parade along with several veteran and military groups. Members of the Ancient and Honorable Company of Massachusetts marched as did the 7th Massachusetts Regiment in colonial militia uniforms. After the re-enactment, a wreath was laid at the Prado’s VFW memorial with local dignitaries.
On such a patriotic day they whoever did this made it a sad day that we shall never forget