On Saturday June 15^th the Los Angeles Colony of Mayflower Descendents in the State of California held a dinner on Board the Queen Mary in the Britannia Saloon. The Los Angeles Colony was celebrating having reached its 97^th year. Governor General Bruce MacGunnigle was in attendance, and our main Speaker. The evening began with a social hour featuring the Jane Clayson string quartet with Jane’s two grandchildren Ella and William Johnson on Violins. They are junior members ages 7 and 8. Opening ceremonies where lead in by bagpipe major George Hall, and by the Son’s of the Revolution’s Lee’s Legion Color Guard carrying in the American and Los Angeles Colony Flags. The national anthem was then played by Ella and William. Jane is the chair for Junior members for the California State Mayflower Society. Her grandchildren flew in from Boston for the occasion.

Following dinner our first event was a performance of Scottish Sword dancing by National Champion Kaylee Finnegan accompanied by bagpipes. It ended with a rousing cheer from the audience.

Our first regular program was by Mr. M. Kent Gregory and his wife Lisa on Music in America during the Revolutionary War. Kent played a fife and computer and his wife Lisa who is a noted Violinist played examples from that period. It was an outstanding program of music and history. Next We had the captain of the Queen Mary Will Kayne tell us stories about her involvement in the second World War. It was truly an amazing story that captured the audience in the history of the ship. During one voyage as a troop carrier she carried 16,000 soldiers which is a record that still stands today.

Next colony captain Constance Dunn lead us in singing My Country, Tis of Thee. It was a heartfelt moment to hear everybody singing together.

Our final program was a special presentation by Governor General Bruce MacGunnigle titled My Neighborhood Patriot. One of first thing he said was  considering my linage is Scottish and Yankee, It’s a Mayflower meeting, we’ve got men in Kilts, we’ve got bagpipes, and I am a past state president of the Road Island Son’s of the American Revolution, so to have the color guard from the Orange County SAR it just feels that I am at home.

My Neighborhood Patriot is a  story of a House name Icabod that was once owned by a freed black soldier named Solomon Fry who fought in the American Revolution. The story highlights how many slaves gained their freedom by fighting in the revolution. A very interesting story, and genealogical journey.

Our calender section now has the flyer for our Compact Day Meeting November 9, 2013. Featuring Mary Todd Lincoln.

Stay tuned for more events!

Gov Franklin E. Smith