The John Sevier Chapter Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution, in partnership with the Etowah Chapter Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution, on Saturday honored two members of the chapter and their patriot ancestors in a ceremony at Rainbow Gardens Cemetery in Gadsden.
The Compatriot members honored were AC Lipscomb, Sr. and Donald Wayne Beck. The ceremony was a special event in that President Bryan Beck, John Sevier Chapter and Hixson resident, was able to honor both his father and grandfather during the ceremony.
A short revolutionary war service biography was presented for each honored member’s patriot ancestor. AC Lipscomb’s patriot ancestor, William Lipscomb, Sr. of Hanover, Va., was highlighted for his appointment to the Committee of Safety in Louisa Co., Va. in 1775. AC Lipscomb, himself a veteran of WWII, served in Europe as a heavy equipment depot level repairman. State Rep. Craig Lipscomb presented the ceremonial biography during the ceremony for AC Lipscomb, Sr.
Donald Wayne Beck’s patriot ancestor, Jeffrey Beck of North Carolina, served in several tours of duty as a militiaman and was finally discharged from Captain John Hind’s Light Horse troop on 30 DEC 1780. Donald Beck, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War in which he served in the 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division in numerous combat actions, ultimately earning the Bronze Star with Valor Device. John Sever President Bryan Beck presented the ceremonial biography during the ceremony for his father Donald Wayne Beck.
The ceremony included unveiling SAR member medallion markers at each member’s headstone along with the customary ceremonial passages of the SAR. Several SAR and DAR chapters presented greetings and honors during the ceremony. SAR color guard members from both Tennessee and Alabama contributed to the pageantry of the ceremony by posting the ceremonial flags and then later firing a three-volley musket salute prior to TAPs being played. Mr. Matthew Wade added an extra special musical touch to the ceremony by playing Amazing Grace on his bagpipes.
To know more about SAR events celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the people and events of America’s Revolution, contact the John Sevier Chapter at https://johnsevierchapter.org/home.