Members of the John Sevier Color Guard in period uniforms, Ladies of the DAR, family members and descendants of Patriot Charles Thurman gather for a photo next to the Patriot’s grave post ceremony at the inactive old Lone Cedar Cemetery, Bledsoe County
photo by Megan Land
The John Sevier Chapter of the Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution (supporting Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie Counties) in coordination with the Frostbite Farm and the Thurman Family conducted an SAR Patriot Grave marking and “reflagging” ceremony honoring Revolutionary War Veteran Charles Thurman at his grave site in the inactive Old Lone Cedar Cemetery, Bledsoe County, at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The ceremony as part of the SAR’s ongoing series of celebrations honoring the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution featured the retiring of the old flag present at the grave site and posting of a new color; the unveiling and dedication of the SAR patriot marker and John Sevier Chapter color guard members, in period Revolutionary War uniforms with a display of historical flags, acting as ceremonial guard escorts and presenting a musket salute/demonstration. Mr.
Trevor MeGhie, Signal Mountain High School Band, provide musical support by playing TAPs for the ceremony.
Family and direct descendants, Mr. Danny Thurman, Mrs. Peggy Thurman and Mr. Eddie Thurman, participated in the reflagging and unveiling parts of the ceremony. Descendants from North Dakota, West Texas, New Jersey and Tennessee were present for the ceremony.
Several ladies representing the Chickamauga, Judge David Campbell and Pocahontas Chapters, Daughters of the American Revolution joined the ceremony to help honor the patriot.
A service biography noting the patriot’s service was presented. A copy of the biography for the ceremony can be found on the John Sevier Chapter web site at: https://johnsevierchapter.org/patriot-honors. Mr. Thurman was not only veteran of the Revolutionary War but also an early settler of Rhea and then Bledsoe Counties.
The Sons of the American Revolution is a national patriotic, historical and educational society whose members are direct descendants of the patriots who won the nation's independence.
Patriot Charles Thurman’s grave site just prior to the SAR reflagging and grave marking ceremony conducted at the inactive old Lone Cedar cemetery, Bledsoe County
photo by Megan Land