On Thursday evening, the City Celebration Committee of Huntington Beach, California, together with Mayor Casey McKeon, co-hosted the unveiling and lighting ceremony of banners commemorating the “American 250th Anniversary,” kicking off the Independence Day festivities in the Surf City.
These banners incorporating elements of the American flag and featuring “HB” and “American 250” will be displayed in the city center, at the pier, along the Pacific Coast Highway, and on streetlights around the town, illuminating in the colors of the American flag – red, blue, and white.
Mayor McKeon stated that the 250th anniversary is a significant milestone, saying, “We sincerely hope to pay homage to America on this occasion! We also remember and thank those who made enormous sacrifices in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and other conflicts to bring us to this moment.”
How did the creativity spark? Mayor McKeon shared that, through interactions with the Celebration Committee liaison, Julie Toledo, new ideas continued to emerge.
“We wanted to have some fun celebration activities, so we invited Boy Scouts, veterans from the American Legion, and members of the Sons of the American Revolution,” he said. “Then I had this crazy idea – what about getting a cannon? Julie actually managed to get a cannon, and the sound of it was truly deafening!”
In a speech delivered by actor Dennis Carlos portraying Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez, he highlighted a lesser-known chapter in American independence history, emphasizing the strategic support provided by Spain, France, and other allies during the Revolutionary War.
Governor Gálvez expressed gratitude towards the City of Huntington Beach’s National Historical Society for preserving historical memories and promoting educational activities in the community, stating that the banners displayed serve not only to commemorate past achievements but also as a solemn promise to never forget the courage of ancestors.
Dating back to the establishment of the Sons of Revolutionary Sires in San Francisco in 1876, and the formal formation of the National Society in 1890 in New York City, the California Sons of the American Revolution’s Executive Vice President Brandon Villardi explained that the association’s members trace their lineage directly to heroes of the American Revolution.
Villardi pointed out that Huntington Beach has a deep patriotic spirit, hosting the largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi since 1904, and being officially designated 50 years ago for the bicentennial celebration of America’s independence. He stated that Independence Day is a moment for reflection: “What does it mean to be an American?”
Established in Huntington Beach in the fall of 1919 by veterans of World War I, renamed as Huntington Beach Post 133 in 1941, the Post’s representative, Jim Gormley, emphasized that the celebration aims to remind everyone of the price people paid for the enduring beacon of freedom shining for 250 years.
“For veterans, America is not just a name on a map; it is the flag we vowed to defend, the brothers and sisters we fought alongside, and a solemn promise: each generation has a responsibility to leave a richer legacy for the country than they found when they arrived,” Gormley stated.
As the festivities concluded amidst the gunfire and cannon blasts, the upcoming Independence Day celebration on July 4th promises to be grand, featuring band competitions, marathons, parades, air shows, bike rides, and free concerts, ensuring an array of exciting events for everyone to enjoy. ◇