The Royal Irish Artillery running a gun onto the muster field to insure a smooth succession Faire so well-attended that we ran out of food We broke in the new Innkeeper, Bob Purrington Dedication of a bench outside the Inn to the memory of Prescott Ward.

Musters included:

• History of Ice Houses
• Dr. Blood, Military Surgeon
• Arms and armament from Plimouth Plantation
• Ben Franklin (Bill Meekle) arriving at the chapel for the holiday muster in a horse and buggy
• History of the Inn

It was a beautiful sunshiny day when I began my RAIN as Colonel. But alas, this would not last.

For the October meeting we put on a fashion show. "The Do’s and Don’ts of Colonial Attire." The themes were embraced by everyone, as we would see throughout the year, and changes were made in attire. Either way it was met by thunderous applause. Or was that just the thunder from the rainstorm...

As this year would be the last addition to the Colonel’s Coloring Book, we honored Les Longworth. Everyone brought their favorite cartoons. We even made feeble attempts ourselves to capture his humor by drawing our own cartoons depicting Les. Well the Gods watching this were laughing so hard they began to cry. (How else can you explain that, once again, it was raining?)

We had Ben Franklin (portrayed by the Emmy Award-winning Bill Mickel) come by for a chat. He talked for hours on many subjects. Yes, for those who are interested, the weather was conducive to discovering electricity. We just needed a kite and a key.

December’s meeting would be the 2nd Annual Christmas party. The day before, it had snowed. The heavens left a beautiful blanket of snow. But unfortunately, the night of the Christmas party, you guessed it, rain. This didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance, as a good time was had by all.

Now the 12th Night Ball, (named for the 12th night of Christmas, NOT the 12th night of January,) was a rocking good time! Yes, for those of you following along at home, it rained. The Inn was filled to capacity and then some. Long live Rock & Roll. 

February brought us a visit from an 18th Century surgeon. But the good doctor had no prescription for clear skies, as it rained again.

Now March and April, you would expect rain. And it did! It rained for the meetings, the April 19^th March, and the Ball. (People must have gotten used to the English weather that seemed to be following me.)

One-hundred twenty men (not including the Fyfe & Drum) showed up and marched to Concord on the 19^th. The Ball was once again beyond capacity. Rock & Roll will never die. (I may have spoken too soon.)

You know what they say: "April showers bring May _________. (Answer: showers.) Maybe June…Nope, more rain.

People can’t remember the last time it rained on the 4th of July. I guess they will remember this year. It rained!

September didn’t Faire much better. Like a true warrior, I fell upon my sword to appease the Rain Gods. But to no avail, it still rained! The next day’s weather was perfect for the take-down. (Fittingly, the rain date was sunny.)

For those who know my father, Colonel Bausk I, you know he has a tendency to get lost. Who would have guessed that during the "Rain" of Colonel Bausk II, the SUN would also get lost!

My first muster was in November. We had a speaker by the name of George Newman; he was great at telling stories about the Revolution. We filled the Ballroom to capacity; visitors and guests (and even some women!) crowded around the doors to see him.

George was a very animated speaker. As he told his stories, all heads would follow his movements: if he went left, everyone looked to the left; as he went right, everyone looked right. It was as if the audience was following the ball at a tennis match. As the evening went on, I thought, “This is a great meeting. I will be looking forward to the rest of the year as Colonel”.

Sitting in the front row were Bob McLean and Ron McInnis. When the presentation was over, Bob and Ron came to me and said “Great night, kid. You did only one thing wrong. You held the best program first instead of last. Try to top this. Good luck.”

Things seemed to go well for the next two months. That is, until I hired the band for the Twelfth Night Ball.

I thought they played very well. They played modern music, the kind that had been played at the Balls for years. And they had a saxophone player, who was great.

But I had no idea that contra dancing was becoming the entertainment of choice. A few women came up to me after it was over. They told me if I hired the same band again, or if I didn’t have contra dancing at the Regimental Ball, they were going to tell everyone to boycott.

I recalled that we had tried contra dancing a few years before, and the room was dead, it seemed to be a flop. I had no idea what to do for the Regimental Ball.

I called the officers in for a meeting, and we decided to have a “Dinner with Ben Franklin”. Ben was very entertaining, and it was a way for me to get through the evening without being tarred and feathered. (In other words, I was one of several Colonels with only one Ball.)

On the Nineteenth, the weather was not, shall I say, in our favor. In Wayland Center, we saw broken clouds. In Sudbury Center, we saw broken clouds. As I was standing on the Common, looking at the broken clouds, I had no idea what we were in for.

As we started from Sudbury Center, rain started to fall slowly. But when we got to the high school, the sky opened up, and down it came, in buckets. When we got to the first coffee stop, a few of the guys said they would quit the march if the rain didn’t stop. It stopped long enough to get the coffee break in. But when we got back on the road, down it came again.

lt. Col. Ford Daley had a dandy route planned and, if only it were a sunny day, we would have had a fine time. His plan was to cross Rte. 2 at Emerson Hospital, head for the South Bridge, then backtrack down Rte. 62, cross Rte. 2 again, march through West Concord Center, go around the prison, cross Rte. 2 a third time (at the dreaded Concord Rotary, no less) to Barrett’s Mill Road, and then on to the North Bridge.

As we marched down Old Marlboro Road to the hospital, the rain turned to sleet and freezing rain, with a little snow mixed in. It came down so hard, there were two or three inches of water flowing down the road toward Rte. 2.

And then, to add insult to injury, there was no State Police escort when we arrived at Rte. 2! I was cold and wet, and had had enough. I pulled out my sword and told everyone to follow me, I was taking over.

The group thought I was nuts. With no State Police to protect us from oncoming cars, I stood in the middle of the Concord Turnpike at rush hour in the freezing rain, sword raised. I don’t think any of those guys knew if he should shit or wind his watch. (As a mater of fact, when I was on Rte. 2 with the sword still out of the scabbard, there were two very large bolts of lightning and some very loud thunder. I couldn't get that sword back in the scabbard fast enough. It nearly it scared the poop out of me.)

Of course, Ford didn’t tell me the plan until we got to the South Bridge. Because we were so cold, wet, and miserable, I said we would have to find a shorter way to Barrett’s Mill Road. Ford insisted that we go back to West Concord and around the prison. We almost had a bloody coup right there in the street. Once again, I took command, and led the Companies up Rte. 2 to Assabet Avenue, the cut-though to Barrett’s Mill Road.

We got to our second coffee stop, and there happened to be a nice dry garage for us to get in out of the rain. (Of course, as soon we got under cover, the rain stopped.) We found a clothes dryer there, and used it to our best advantage. We still had quite a number of marchers, and they were all looking for a ride to the North Bridge. Finding none, and seeing how it was only about 30 minutes walk to the Bridge, we went for it. Guess what happened then?

You got it, the rain started coming down in buckets once more, with a little ice and snow just for fun, and it didn’t stop until we got to the Bridge. After a stroll through some giant puddles, we fired on the Bridge. (After all that rain, we did get muskets to fire.) And that made the day worth it.

All things considered, I did have some rough times, but enjoyed it all.

Although I have fond memories of the march, the only really clear one I have is of carrying the original Howe sword, and there being about a foot of water beyond the Bridge.

When I was lt. Colonel, we marched in a thunder and lightning storm--the Colonel, taking hold of his authority--and his crotch--stopped the march--or something.

And as for wanting to cross Route 2 three times--huh?

In fact, I was always fond of saying that the war for Sudbury could have started at the South Bridge, and would have, if Colonel Howe had not been successful in calling back the 75 year-old Josiah Haynes, who was hell-bent on engaging the British there.

I may have some of the facts wrong, but the outline is true. In my year as lt. Colonel, I wanted to recreate that moment at the South Bridge.

But as for the rest of it...it gets dim.

Thanks for your interest. It would be very interesting to retrace the actual route...wouldn't it?

In re: The Howe Sword

• All I remember is, it was all tied up in the Howe estate for years, and I think it kind of disappeared from the eyes of the historians. And then, for some reason, it became available. It came as a surprise that Spring that we could use it--if I remember right, a rather sudden surprise, and not anything that the militia had anything to do with.

Thanks for the stimulation.

This narrative begins on the last Saturday of September, 1987. On that day, my new bride, the lovely Judith Helen Anne Misiewicz Bergstrom Grillo, B.S., R.N., of the Shrewsbury Misiewiczs (now there's a mouthful if I ever hoid o’ one!) and I decided to attend the annual Sudbury Colonial Faire and Muster of Fifes & Drums at Longfellow's Wayside Inn. I was quite impressed by the activities and the camaraderie and jocularity shared by the members of the Militia. So I, being of an impetuous and trusting nature, found myself falling for (what I was to later learn) the amazing amount of bushwah and outright falsehood preached to me by the uniformed members at the recruiting booth. Like a hungry trout, I rose to the fly, and they set the hook, deeply. I was even given a piece of parchment paper, full of colonial prose and fancy penmanship, whereupon I signed away my life, as I had known it. I swear that every stroke of the pen raised a tiny puff of smoke with the smell of brimstone that stung my eyes and clouded my intellect. But the die was cast. Like Caesar crossing the Rubicon, I crossed over to a world dominated by our nation's past. An ominous voice whispered in my subconscious, "Beware the Ides of March!", but because it was only September, I ignored this sage advice.

The following November, Judith and I attended our first muster, presided over by newly-elected Colonel Hal Cutler. I found a seat behind Bob "Cap'n Huff" MacLean, a man larger than life both in size and character. During the rather rowdy proceedings, Bob availed himself (several times) of the small buffet provided by the Inn. His favorite, as I would note over and over again, was the chicken wings. Once he had eaten his fill, he proceeded to wipe his now greasy hands through his flowing locks. My first thought was to run, run as I never had. But a quick inventory of the other members' actions showed that perhaps his unique display of dining etiquette was merely a personal quirk, and I settled down for the remainder of the muster. I do recall Judith and I rising to introduce ourselves and bestowing upon the membership our opinion of the Faire's PA system (which we found woefully inadequate). The assemblage, shocked at our audacity, took up the chant, "Hang the impudent rebels!" At that point Colonel Cutler called for a break, whereupon one and all forayed to the bar and I was destined to live another day.

It was at this muster that I learned the eminent importance of the four events that would dominate the winters, springs and autumns of my life. First, the Twelfth Night Ball: this is a re-creation of a popular colonial event held the 12th night following Christmas (which was then considered a Papist holiday). Second, The March: held every April 19^th (no matter what day of the week) this was the re-creation of the original Sudbury Militia's march to participate in the opening fights of the American Revolution. Third, The Regimental Ball, which is the 12th Night Ball, except with fancy uniforms and no snow. Fourth, The Colonial Faire: the Militia's main fund-raiser, mentioned earlier.

Also at that November muster I met Steve Pano, our local sutler. I felt like a kid in a candy store, staring at his wondrous assortment of 18th century wares, wanting it all but not knowing exactly what to get. It was at that point that Bob and Audrey Childs introduced themselves. They became our mentors and close friends, and provided a list of mail-order sutlers, instruction, and patterns for militia clothing and equipment. Despite all this newly-obtained information, we had to resort to renting colonial clothing for the 12th Night Ball, and Judith managed to create a civilian outfit for me just in time for The March. I didn't want to march without a weapon, so I purchased a used .50-caliber rifle, but I still didn't have any powder. Henry Marcoux's son Sean came to my rescue by donating a few rounds, thereby enabling me to fill my olfactory senses with the aroma of rotten eggs, and my mouth with almost as much powder as I poured down the barrel. Biting off just the appropriate amount of paper from a cartridge is definitely a learned process, and I would fire many rounds before I perfected the technique. It rained that day, so much so that my blanket cloak gained an extra 20 pounds in water. By the time I reached the North Bridge I felt like the survivor of an Iron Man Triathlon. Again, I questioned my sensibilities.

Judith and I spent the next several months in a learning mode. We purchased many books on 18th century life, had clothing made, and began the long and never-ending process of acquiring the necessary tools, weapons, camping equipment, accoutrements, etc. that would both make our Rev War lives complete and, at the same time, deplete our bank account. Since we wanted very badly to fit in (or is that, fit in, badly) we volunteered to work at the next Faire, Judith at the baked goods booth and I at the main food booth as the condiments expert. No, it had nothing to do with sex education, but everything to do with making sure all the ketchup, mustard and relish containers were constantly filled and to be "General Gopher" for whatever the more-experienced members needed. (In this case, "experienced" meant “as long as there was someone newer than themselves in the organization”, so they didn't need to bust their respective butts fetching things.) By the end of the day I was exhausted and covered with spilled condiments. But the capper came when I made a very necessary visit to one of the fiberglass "guard shacks". The release of liquid stress was so gratifying that at first I failed to notice the unusually loud dripping sound and, due to the interior darkness of the booth, I hadn't observed that the tube from the urinal to the tank had come off, and I was relieving myself on my shoes. An appropriate and prophetical end to a long day.

The next several years flew by with all the grace of a ruptured duck. Judith and I became so adept at 18th century knowledge that we were able to lie convincingly even if we didn't know an answer (never underestimate the gullibility of the American public). In that time, we were able to demonstrate our capacity for pain and punishment by working harder and harder at the Faires, until the inevitable happened: I was asked to be the Food Chairman for the 1992 Faire, alongside overall Faire Chairman, Ford Daley. I eagerly accepted, knowing that this would be the big step towards becoming Colonel (how easily are led the ignorant). The subsequent nine months were filled with meetings, arguments, meetings, phone calls, meetings, letters, meetings, visiting vendors, meetings, arranging for food deliveries and, of course, meetings. However, the best laid plans of mice, men and food chairmen often and will go astray. The US Weather Bureau failed to properly predict the timing of a deluge of rain and, instead of arriving in the late afternoon, it began to pour about 11AM, effectively washing out the Faire and causing the Sudbury Militia to lose almost $2000 in much-needed revenue. Despite that almost devastating gaffe, I was elected Quartermaster, an office to which I was officially appointed at the 1993 Faire. The process of pain and suffering which would dominate the next four years of my life had begun.

To my (and apparently everyone 's) surprise, I fulfilled my duties as Quartermaster well, and the following years as Adjutant-Major and lt. Colonel also went without serious incident. As lt. Colonel, my biggest jobs were to organize the April 1996 March to Concord (which was held on a glorious, sun-filled day), and to preside over the ceremony of awarding the Colonel's mug to Ford Daley at the Regimental Ball. These minor successes made me feel invincible enough to think that my tenure as Colonel beginning the following September would be the best of all. Oh, brother!

At the Faire in 1996, I became Colonel of the Sudbury Companies of Militia & Minute, and the cumulative hard work had come to fruition. When they draped the Howe sword over my shoulder, I should have realized that it was not the sword of leadership, but the sword of Damocles. Still I pushed on. I determined that the musters during my tenure would be devoted to music and bringing a more feminine aspect to the musters via invited speakers. That seemed to work fairly well, and the various female musicians and speakers seemed to be eagerly accepted by the militia members.

Then came the 12th Night Ball. To this day, I could swear I told the members of "Yankee Ingenuity" that the ball would be held on January 10th. On January 8th they called to confirm the 17th! When I told them the Ball was on the 10th, they said they were already booked for that date. A search for a replacement band proved fruitless, and I was forced to cancel the Ball. (Up to that point, Fran Logan was known as "The Colonel with only one Ball" because his 12th Night had been overtaken by a harsh winter storm. Now my lack of proper follow-up communication doomed me to that title.)

Then came the April March. On that day, the Gods of Weather sent a Nor'easter with 40 mph winds and horizontal rain straight into our faces as I led what was to be (arguably) the fastest march in contemporary militia history. We left Sudbury Center at the traditional hour of 6:00AM, and arrived in Concord to join the Patriots Day Parade at about 9:30, a blistering pace (ironic when you consider the weather) that has yet to be equaled. Personally, while I led the troops across the North Bridge, I failed (there's that word again) to continue the parade back to the Concord Armory. My lt. Colonel, Bob O'Connor, had to take over when my arthritic knees and a case of hypothermia forced me to take refuge in my car. Thank God for a hip flask filled with cognac. It was the only thing that kept me alive.

The following Friday night was the Regimental Ball. There, I felt I made up for the disaster of the 12th Night by trying something a little different. I had read that musical chairs was a favorite entertainment at 18th century parties, so I purchased a glass-bottom mug inscribed with "Regimental Ball Musical Chairs Champion 1997" and offered it as first prize. I thought that we might have about a dozen or so participants and could play a lively, short game. Much to my surprise, more than 40 people grabbed a chair and hit the floor, sometimes literally. The game was the most cutthroat affair I had ever seen, with hip-checking rivaling that of a Bruins vs. Canucks slugfest. Steve Taskovics, in his zeal to win, knocked his wife, Andrea, to the floor, and three chairs were broken in the carnage to follow. After a good half-hour of stops and starts, the eventual winner (Dana Rock's date Elizabeth) took home the cup. Fortunately, Innkeeper Bob Purrington had a sense of humor concerning the broken chairs.

The rest of my tenure followed without serious incident and, at the September 1997 Faire, I was ousted by popular vote (if I hadn't been voted out, I would've abdicated) and was subsequently "shot " by King George 's red-coated minions in their feeble attempt to halt the democratic process. When I recovered from my "wounds", I felt as though I could fly! The weight of Colonelcy had been lifted from my sagging shoulders, and I was once again free to pursue the happiness guaranteed me in the Constitution.

I hope one and all have learned from my trials.

Remember:

• Firing Wally Grahn’s ashes off the North Bridge on April 19^th

The year was expected to be quite eventful, as it included the beginning of the new millennium as well as the 225th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

We started the year with a vigorous–and sometimes heated–debate concerning the method of voting for our new officers. Traditionally, voting had been restricted to men only; consistent with the notion that we are re-creating a militia unit and, in the early revolutionary era, officers were usually elected by their troops.

Several members felt strongly that, since many women now play an active part in the group, voting should be a right of all members regardless of chromosomal persuasion, and based on a level of active participation. It was proposed that a committee be formed to find a solution to this dilemma. By this stealthy move, further unpleasantness could be deferred indefinitely.

In order to celebrate the 225th anniversary, the Lexington 2000 Committee, led by Skip Hayward of the Lexington Minutemen, planned a massive reenactment of Battle Road with over 1000 participants from all parts of the world. Sudbury was well-represented, and several of our members were involved in the organization of drills, determining authenticity of clothing, fund-raising, picketing, as well as actually joining in the battle.

Fortunately, the Battle Road event did not conflict with our re-creation of the March to Concord on April 19^th. Our route had been expertly planned by lt. Colonel Frank Marini and his enthusiastic committee, who entertained us with a filmed version of "Truth or Consequences" as it may have appeared in the colonial era. We had an excellent turnout, despite the effort required for the previous week’s Battle Road reenactment. The weather was mild, the nourishment was exquisite, and the reception of the Park rangers was most friendly.

Due to major architectural work taking place at the Wayside Inn, our traditional post-march Regimental Ball was temporarily relocated to the Marlborough Country Cub. Although the atmosphere could not replace our beloved Inn, a good time was had by all thanks to the sterling work of George Fogg and Yankee Ingenuity, providing a fun, relaxed end to a busy month of reenacting.

An innovation at the Wayside Inn in May involved a demonstration of colonial crafts relating to sheep and their wool. Several of our Company collaborated, providing sheep for shearing; soap-making, blacksmithing and the wearing of colonial kit added to the atmosphere. This has become a regular annual event, much to the joy of ovinophiles everywhere.

The Colonial Faire was blessed with good weather and the introduction of some new children’s games including Splat the Rat, Soak ye Bloke and Ye Olde Coconut Shye.

Colonel Marini was duly elected to the relief of all. Our new Quartermaster was Kevin Gatlin, who was appointed without opposition, avoiding the requirement of an election, much to the relief of the retiring Colonel, who was quite happy to pass that thorny buck on to the next administration.

Other happenings that year included:

• A presentation by Colin Rixon, Sergeant Major of His Majesty’s 5th Regiment of Foot
• Abigail Adams, recreated by Linda Myer at the Martha Mary Chapel
• The Maynard Telethon
• R.P. Hale, with his handmade keyboard instruments and lessons in the finer points of contra dancing, prior to the 12th Night Ball
• Framingham Boy Scouts Campathon organized by ex-Colonel Dale Blue

(Ed. Note: Our friend Frank passed away on December 17, 2010 after a short but valiant fight with cancer. He left us without writing a Squirrel. What follows is an article that appeared in the MetroWest Daily News on April 19, 2002. It contains a few inaccuracies, but gives us a useful look at Frank’s dedication to the Sudbury Minutemen and the reenactment hobby.)

Patriots’ Way
Hudson Man Joins Hundreds Today in Concord for Historical reenactment

By Joe Shulman, News Staff Writer
MetroWest Daily News, April 19, 2002

Forget about the day you might have had off Monday, the Marathon, and the Red Sox matinee win over the Yankees. For Hudson’s Frank Marini, today is the real Patriot’s day, and he’s living the part.

The U.S. Army veteran will don his Sudbury Militia and Minuteman uniform today, and begin a 12-mile march with hundreds of others from the Wayside Inn in Sudbury to North Bridge in Concord, remembering the actual anniversary of the first day of combat in the Revolutionary War.

The march will follow the same path the 348-member Sudbury militia took in 1775 before battling the British in Concord.

Marini travels to Canada for a battle in Quebec, where Benedict Arnold, before he became a turncoat, led the rebel Colonials against British forces.

He also takes part in an Evacuation Day ceremony, which falls on St. Patrick’s Day, the purported date when the British abandoned Boston.

His wife, Rosemary Marini, a former Hudson selectman, said being married to a dedicated reenactor isn’t always easy. She has put her foot down when it comes to outdoor living.

"When we do reenactments that make us camp out, I draw the line," she said.

Marini, who served in Vietnam, Granada, Panama, and the Persian Gulf, retired with the second-highest enlisted rank—command sergeant major. Today, he will be a colonel, or rather, a former colonel.

Last year, Marini was a colonel, the highest rank in the Patriot’s Day reenactment, the highest rank given in the militia. This year he will be a "former colonel", an honorary title which allows younger members to assume higher ranks.

Marini understands why the holiday, for most, must fall on a Monday.

"The 19^th, here it is on a Friday, last year it fell on a Thursday," he said. "It is difficult to get reenactors to come (when there isn’t a day off from work)."

Today’s march will begin at 6 a.m. and travel from the Wayside Inn, which was owned in 1775 by a Colonist who fought in the battle and [was] called How’s Inn.

"There are people that are in five or six [reenacting] groups, because when you get into this hobby, one or two isn’t enough," Marini said.

Marini is a member of five militias. His interest, he said, is not really sparked by his career in the Army. He has always been a history buff.

"Anyone who has an interest in the history of America and who wants to portray this period can get into it very easily," he said.

Some conventional beliefs about the beginning of the Revolution bug Marini. For instance, Paul Revere did not ride through the streets yelling, "The British are coming," or even "The Redcoats are coming."

"We were all British in those days," said his wife, who has taken more of an interest in the reenactments since she retired from teaching last year.

Revere really said, "The Regulars are coming!" Marini said.

Getting Regulars for today’s reenactment was difficult, but a half-dozen or so should be in Concord by the North Bridge.

Marini’s closet is full of different uniforms he wears for his various reenactment groups. Although the "reenactment season" is typically viewed as between March and November, a die-hard can find them year-round.

Marini isn’t one of those.

"If you have the money, you can travel to any place in the country and find a reenactment going on," he said.

Remember:

• We said goodbye to: Ira Amesbury, Colonel, 1971-1972

My year as Colonel started late, as I was still on active duty with the U.S. Army Reserve following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon the previous year. December 2002 was the first muster I attended as Colonel of the Companies.

During my tenure, the issue of incorporation was resolved. For years, the subject had been deferred, making the group, the officers, and the members potentially liable for damage or injury that might occur during our events, especially the Colonial Faire. We were also having some trouble collecting parade honoraria from some municipalities because we didn’t have a tax ID number.

Since its inception, the SCMM had operated without bylaws or membership requirements, and we were quite proud of that. Thus, there was some resistance to this new development. But bylaws and membership requirements are necessary for incorporation, so the officers immediately began to draft a set of rules and regulations that would satisfy the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Given our history, the new bylaws were drafted to meet the minimum requirements for incorporation. The membership requirements were likewise designed to be minimal. Our goal was to obtain incorporation with the very least impact upon our traditional way of doing things, or lack thereof.

On February 20, 2003, I went to Government Center in Boston to hand-deliver the application for incorporation to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

That year, I started the April march to the North Bridge in Wayland center. While it was a long march, we had a great deal of fun, followed by our traditional gathering at the Wayside Inn. The Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades went very well as did the Colonial Faire.

Remember:

• QM Keith Downer giving the Colonel a piggy-back ride across the flooded causeway

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1812 - 1870)

It was a year of incredible highs and lows, but we came through it intact and the course was set for many good years to follow for the Sudbury Companies.

Officers that year were Klaus Schneller, Keith Downer and Bob Elliott, with Mark Lamkin serving as our unit webmaster (Mark would also be elected to Quartermaster that year).

Besides the regular events and parades that SCMM normally supports, we also had a varied number of events that we participated in that year:

• Northboro Applefest Parade (Sept 04)
• Maynard Christmas Parade (Dec 04)
• Brookline Flag day Parade (June 05)
• Framingham Flag Day Parade (June 05)
• SCMM attendance at the NPS rally in support of funding for the Minute Man National Historic Park (March 05)
• Winchendon Colonial Days (educational encampment) June 05
• Marlboro Richer Elementary School (educational encampment) May 05
• SCMM was invited for the first time to participate as part of the 4th Middlesex at the MMNHP Battle Road activities (April 05). In preparation for our participation in this event, we had two combined drills in March and early April with no loss in life ?
• SCMM provided a color guard for the Wayside Inn DAR Chapter 100th Anniversary celebration
• Following the April 19^th March to Concord, we had a special presentation of the retired SCMM unit flag to Bob Purrington, Innkeeper of the Wayside Inn. This flag was used by SCMM from 1964 to 2004 (we had the flag professionally cleaned, matted and framed). The Flag now hangs in the hallway that serves the east side entrance to the Inn.

Remember:

• There we were in the center of Northboro for the September Applefest Parade, and the line of eight muskets had come to a halt to fire the final volley at the end of the parade. There were throngs of people watching us on that hot and humid day, and the command was given to "Fire!" But all that was heard were eight flints striking eight frizzens that could not ignite the damp powder because of the excessive humidity that day. After two more attempts, we sulked away to the giggles of the crowd.
• The Maynard Christmas Parade was as cold as the Northboro parade was hot, but the cold air gave us good crisp volleys, and the contest was on to see how many car alarms we could set off as we marched down Main Street.
• Rex Trailer as the surprise guest of honor for the 5th Annual Ordinary Evening in March. Rex had been one of the founding members of SCMM. The evening was dedicated to Bob and Jean Stone who had been loyal supporters of the SCMM since the early 60s. As always, Tony Howes coordinated the wonderful entertainment and Doug Bugley of the Inn made sure that no throats went dry that evening.
• The Jolly Rogues entertained us for the very first time at our annual Christmas muster. The Rogues had already released their first CD (The Road to Boston) and sang to us with tunes from the second CD that they had just released, Privateers.
• Also for the evening of the Christmas Muster, we had the first snowfall of the season. It was just a light powdery snow of no more than an inch, but it lent a magical touch to the evening festivities, especially as we all made our way up the path from the Inn to the Chapel.

It all started one fall Saturday in 1994 while out for a ride. As my wife and I passed the muster field at the Wayside Inn, various fyfe and drum corps were performing. We stopped to listen for about half an hour or so, and then we went on our way, knowing we would be back the following year to spend the day.

A year passed, and we went to the Faire. At the cheese booth, I watched as Dan McGinnis cut his finger with a huge knife, and I remember saying to myself, “That’s something I’LL never get into”. We enjoyed the Faire and the people, and we signed up to be members of the company before we left.

 At the first monthly meeting, the Colonel gave us a handout of where to buy clothes, and an idea of some of the activities that the group does. We got our kit together over the next year, and I marched to Concord that April. September came, and we signed up to help at the Faire; for some reason, we were asked to help cut the cheese. Well, I guess I did such a good job that I was recruited to work the cheese booth for the next five years!  Luckily, I have never cut myself, but the ‘cutting the cheese’ jokes linger on.

 In 2002, I was asked to run for Quartermaster. 

Moving up through the ranks was interesting; suddenly, it was 2005, and I was Colonel. One of the first things I did was book the dates for the two balls and the next Faire with the Wayside Inn. My wife Sherry, who had been Faire Chairperson for Colonel Malecki, volunteered to run the Faire when I was Colonel.

It was not until the third or fourth Faire Committee meeting that I discovered that the Faire was supposed to be held on the last Saturday of the month (which was September 30th that year), not the Saturday of the last FULL weekend of the month, which was September 23rd and 24th. I had booked the 23rd (which also happened to be the middle of the Jewish holidays). I went to the Inn to see if I could change the date, but there were functions and a wedding booked, so I was stuck with September 23rd, which messed up the fyfe and drum corps, because they had all the groups coming on the 30th. Luckily things worked out, but everyone busted my cookies for the rest of the year!

The year proved busy, but uneventful. We held the Christmas concert with the Jolly Rouges at the Martha-Mary Chapel, the Twelfth Night and Regimental Balls with Yankee Ingenuity, and the march to Concord on April 19^th.

One notable speaker from our monthly meetings was Charlie Price of the Lexington Minute and Militia. He portrayed Prince Estabrook, and we learned a lot about the role of black Americans in the Revolution.

At the April muster, I was roasted as Colonel von Schnellben, in a nod to General Washington’s Prussian Inspector General Baron von Steuben. Along with muskets, there were WWII helmets and weapons. Luckily I did not have to endure any rolls in the hay with sheep, as some of the previous colonels had. 

 The 2006 faire was successful, and I was relieved when the Brits dragged me off the field, and the sword was passed on to the new colonel.

It was challenging and fun being an officer and Colonel of the SCMM.

We said goodbye to:

• William Vollheim, Colonel, 1973-1974
• John Robertson MacLean, Jr., Colonel, 1972-1973
• John C. Powers, Colonel, 1964-1965

Remember:

• The Roast of "Colonel von Schnellben"

Here are a few remembrances for ya:

I think I was the first Colonel who was not allowed to cross the causeway at the Bridge on the 19^th because of high water and a threat of arrest by the National Park Service!!! Also a neat memory is of William Wallace and his antics at the Balls and Ordinary evenings. I also did a duel with Chris Woolf at the Inn, and the guests cleared the Inn to watch us outside. When we fired, we both killed our seconds who helped us, since we both hated them more! Lots of cheering from the crowd! Just a few things that are neat memories I could think of at 6:30 am.

As for carrying Gatlin across the thigh-deep flooded causeway when I was Quartermaster, I don't think that had been done before either, and I was just KISSIN ASS! I also brought a WWI German sub-machine gun to the filming for Klaus and his roast. I wanted to make sure we could fend-off the Brits that year!

And you asked about my roast. Well, I was given an inflatable YELLOW DUCK RAFT with a tricorn hat on it for the next year’s march so that I could cross the causeway if was flooded! I still have it!

The march on the 19^th was the first year we had the Brits engage us in East Sudbury at 5:00 am. My brother had just bought an old house on Route 27 near the cemetery, and the 4th Regiment of Foot (of which I am also a member) decided we should do a battle at my brother’s house! I called the Wayland Police Chief who said he would make the cruiser escort disappear before we got to my brother’s house so we could play! He said, "Have fun and make a lot of noise!!!"

Later that day, I ate some road-kill I had found near the Sudbury-Concord town line. I was very hungry, and had skipped breakfast before the march. I couldn't decide what tasted better, the rotten skunk or the thousands of maggots inside. Both were good. Not done before! That was a great march!!

The year started off with a few hearty members of the Companies (not happy with simply marching to the North Bridge to fire a few volleys) riding in their mechanical conveyances to a former village of Sudbury (later renamed Maynard) where they tried to take a house down with musket fire. There, we were joined by members of the Stow Minutemen and a bunch of renegades known as the End Zone Militia to fire muskets for the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, hosted by Ty Pennington. It was a mighty 10ºF at 8:30 am when we mustered. Hot food and beverage did little to ward off the chill as we waited until well past 11 am before marching and taking aim at the house. Minutes after a few volleys, the wooden house was nothing but a bunch of broken toothpicks to be hauled away.

What a difference two months made. The East Company met at Wayland Center for the start of the march. As is sometimes the custom, the Wayland constables didn’t get there in time to help us cross the Post Road. However, we suffered no injury as we negotiated the dangerous crossroad, aided by some traffic lights. (Of course, what intelligent soul would be out there driving about at 3:45 am? Either because they had failed to take prisoners during the previous two years, or because of not waking up in time, the 4th Regiment of Foot (The King’s Own), failed to engage us. Instead, we completed our journey to the Smoot’s homestead and fueled up with hot beverage and Ursula’s fine pastries.

With barely enough time, the Companies made it to Sudbury Center. There, at precisely 5:45 am, (with the church clock showing 6 am), the Colonel explained to the press that the Companies were on their way to engage the Redcoats at the North Bridge. By now it had warmed up, and any dew that was on the grasses had disappeared. This year, Hal Cutler stepped in to deliver spiritual messages in the absence of the Reverend Newt Hinckley. And off to Concord we went, with the Companies leading, and the Ancients Fyfe and Drum taking up the rear. As has been the custom (for as long as this Colonel has been a member), the militia stood at the Sudbury/Concord line and fired their last volleys of the march, with the constables of Concord watching carefully, and local residents looking on joyfully and enthusiastically. At this time, everyone’s cartridge boxes were emptied, as Concord did not allow firing within the town, and the Park required us to use only cartridges they provided.

Upon reaching the middle school for more refreshment, we learned that Colonel Lamkin had led the militia at a record pace, in spite of his pronounced limp.

Once again refueled, the fyfe and drum led the militia at a somewhat slower pace, eventually making it to the North Bridge. There, the militia lined up for inspection and were given, at taxpayers’ expense, three cartridges, to be used one at a time, for our volleys at the bridge.

With the river not flooded, we took the historically-correct route to the bridge and, under the Colonel’s command, primed, loaded, made ready and fired. With Park rangers looking on, at least one recruit managed to create a very loud shot on the second volley. Whether it was intentional or accidental, it raised the ranger’s eyebrows, and there was a momentary question about whether we would get our chance to use that third cartridge, or even fire from the bridge ever again. We did manage a third volley and eventually got our pay. Whether or not we fire again at the bridge remained to be determined.

In September, the Companies and the Fyfe & Drum once again put together the annual Colonial Faire. The Faire Committee had met many times earlier in the year and we were set for another great time for the public to learn about our groups, hopefully recruiting new members and for the opportunity to repel the British Regulars. Unfortunately, the weather forecasts called for inclement weather on both Saturday and Sunday.

Al Renzi and I had to consider which day to hold the Faire. The forecast called for Sunday to be the better day (and only marginally better at that), but only a few of the fyfe and drum corps could attend on Sunday. So, despite objection by several members of the Companies, the Faire was held on Saturday.

The weather was misty and raw. Roughly 600 people put up with the foul weather. None of the food vendors showed up, only eight dry goods vendors set up their booths, and about half of the fyfe and drum companies played. It rained more heavily on Sunday, so it turned out we picked the right day. Understanding all that is involved in postponing the Faire, it was decided not to offer a rain date in the future. The Colonial Faire will be held on the last Saturday in September, rain or shine.

Musters and other events

• Framingham Flag Day Festival - Granted this event was held during Colonel Downer's year but I will report on this one. Framingham used to hold a parade for its Flag Day Celebration but the crowds were getting thinner in recent history so they decided to have a 2 day festival instead of a parade. This year, they decided to have a colonial theme and asked me to help organize the event. It turned out we couldn't get any Brits or colonials that weekend so it was just us on the field. We led a small parade around Tercentennial Park and did a couple of drills for the crowd. We also did the honors and fired a salute as the Vets properly burned discarded flags. Of course the most memorable event of the day was when Colonel Downer fired his cannon. The Framingham Fire Department certainly heard [about] the shot.
• Brookline Flag Day Parade - Colonel Downer asked me to lead the companies at this annual event. It was a hot day with large crowds. A real fun time to fire volleys.
• Northborough Applefest Parade - I got to practice my commands once again as the militia was asked to participate in this annual event in Northborough. It has to be one of the easiest parades, short and flat, and lots of people.
• Colonial Faire - Weather for the faire was terrific and we had a very good crowd. The morning got going with the usual children's games and drilling, no contra dancing this year. We held our officers election and I was elected colonel. Somehow some British Regulars learned of our assembly and tried to break it up. They grabbed the outgoing colonel, Keith Downer who put up a great fight before being hauled away. They then arrested me. Somehow, I managed to loosen the ropes around my wrists, fled the arresting officers and hid behind a few colonials. I hid among the militia and followed them as they pursued the Regulars. lt. Colonel Dana Rock led the colonials along the service road while another contingent marched up the slope from the field to Route 20. I don't know how we made it up the slope in our crazy shoes, I kept sliding down the slope. And imagine the looks on the eyes of motorists on Route 20 when they passed within 10 feet of men bearing muskets. It took a while but soon we forced the British Regulars to surrender. We then led the parade of fyfe and drum and gave salutes as each corps entered the musterfield. With those activities over, we had more time to enjoy the rest of the faire, the living historians, vendors and kids games.
• October Muster Don Moylan - We learned about the beginnings of the Sudbury Militia and the Sudbury Ancients Fyfe and Drum Company.
• Muster at Willard Clock Museum - Colonel Downer has led the militia at this historic site for a few years. This time it was my turn. We set up a tent, fired a few volleys and trained some pretty young recruits.
• November Muster Carl and Ellie - I thought it might be interesting to learn about reenacting in a different period so Carl and Ellie Hutchinson spoke to us about Civil War reenacting. Later, Lynn and Ed Dube joined in and Lynn gave the Civil War firing commands to Carl. I don't know about the rest of you but I thought Carl looked better in his Civil War kit.
• December Muster Jolly Rogues - Once again, we had the Jolly Rogues entertain us at the Martha Mary Chapel. Tony Howes also led us in choral music although some of it probably wouldn't be welcome in any other chapel or church.
• January Muster April 19 in the 21st Century - With all the technology that has come up, I thought it would be an interesting excercise to think about what would have happened if the events leading up to the start of the Revolutionary War happened this year, with cell phones, Google maps, GPS, automobiles. So we met in the Olde Bar and split into 2 groups. Suffice it to say that enough hard drink was consumed that neither scenario was very coherent. Let's stick with the midnight ride of Paul Revere and the ensuing battles at Lexington and Concord that we all have in our minds.
• Twelfth Night Ball - This was one of the most successful balls we had in years. We even made a profit. There wasn't enough room on the dance floor for everyone to participate.
• February Muster Mike Ryan - The companies were sent a warrant for a Sudbury town meeting. Mike Ryan portrayed the moderator and we debated 4 articles from the warrant. It turned out that we voted the same way that the actual Sudburians did back in the 1770's.
• Extreme Makeover Home Edition - This television series selected a home in Maynard for a renovation and decided to put a colonial twist to the destruction of the existing home. With parts of Maynard originally being part of either Sudbury or Stow, militia from both towns took part. It had snowed a few days earlier and the morning started off in the 10's. After a few hours waiting, we finally led the group of volunteers to the house. Later, we fired a few volleys at the house which were timed with some pyrotechnics. It didn't take much for the house to come tumbling down.
• March Muster Hal Cutler - Hal Cutler spoke to us about his ancestors who were very early settlers (not prehistoric mind you) of Sudbury. Intermingled in his presentation, he spoke about early Sudbury history.
• Ordinary Evening - Kevin Gatlin organized another evening at an ordinary, with many from the Sudbury Militia and a few from the Crown Forces in attendence. After our meal, we entertained ourselves with naughty verses and shanties.
• April Muster Route Committee - We held our annual April muster during which time the Route Committee described our now routine route to the North Bridge. They roasted the colonel with a video with Larry Leonard being the voice of the colonel. It was good training for Larry who would later become our safety officer. He sure is good at giving the manual of pickforks. And a lot has to be said for the militia with their pitchfork drill and marshmallow volleys. Don't ask about why they chose that theme.
• Regimental Ball - We had another very successful ball. This one is never as crowded as the Twelfth Night Ball but we did manage to just about break even.
• May Muster Save Our Heritage - We invited Jim Cunningham to speak on the work done by Save Our Heritage to restore the Barrett House that we march by on our way to the North Bridge.
• Stow 325th Anniversary - Having teamed up with the Stow Minutemen during Extreme Makeover, we were invited to add additional colonial color during their spring parade. After the parade, we joined Stow at its encampment.
• Memorial Day Parade, Sudbury - This year, we were the only group to fire salutes at the cemetaries. It was an early bus ride up to the northern cemeteries and then a return to the starting point of the main parade. We ended up firing 9 salutes, 27 rounds during the day. Hal Cutler gave an inspiring speech at the last memorial.
• Muster at Willard Clock Museum - The Willard Clock House decided to change their schedule and hold another event of the colonial period while I was still colonel. We set up camp, marched and drilled and entertained the young kids.
• June Muster Old Sturbridge Village - As my last muster speaker, I invited people from Old Sturbridge Village to tell us about life a few years after the Revolutionary War.
• Flag Day Parade, Brookline - This time, I got a chance to lead Sudbury as colonel. The parade is always fun.
• 4th of July Parade, Sudbury - Following recent trends, I let lt. Colonel Rock command the militia for this parade. The Sudbury crowd always enjoys us, even the crying babies and younger kids.
• September Muster Faire Committee - The faire committee presented plans for the faire. Always optimistic, they asked for volunteers to man the booths and perform vital tasks at the faire. And as always, volunteers were in short supply that night. That night, we also managed to get Carl Hutchinson elected as the new quartermaster.
• Northborough Applefest Parade - The militia marched in another Applefest parade. Not much else to say other than the weather being grea and the crowd enjoying our volleys.

Remember

• Colonel Roger Bump (1968-1969) left us this year.
• We also lost a dear friend and bartender at the inn, Doug Bugley.

Activities:

Dana’s year as Colonel ended with the most successful Faire in recent memory, through no fault of his own. The weather was ideal, and the usual suspects showed up to help ensure that the treasury was once again rescued from disaster.

Remember:

• The Asian urban assault bus driver at the Brookline Flag Day Parade
• Innkeeper Bob Purrington passing the baton to John Cowden Jr.

Where did it all begin? Where did this passion that would lead me one day to become the Colonel of the Sudbury Companies of Militia & Minute begin?

I suppose it goes back to my youth. Back then, when I was a young lad growing up in Sudbury, my family would, every Fourth of July, attend the parade in Sudbury. We would ride our bikes to Heritage Park from where we could take in the sights and sounds of the parade. From this vantage point, I would watch with delight as fire truck after fire truck after fire truck went by with horns blasting and sirens blaring and wailing away. Yet as soon as the Sudbury Minutemen came in to view, I would head for the woods and hide for some reason.

Be it the sound of their musket blasts, the sight of their odd clothes, or the idea that maybe somebody would actually enjoy history, I wanted no part of them. And as the years went on, and I performed my annual dash-for-the-trees ritual, something must have been planted in my subconscious that one day I wanted, nay must, return the favor to the next generation. Yet this would rattle around in my head until many a year later.

And then sometime between high school and college, I started to change my mind about history. In high school I had a really good teacher. And upon graduating, my parents gave me this book, The History of Sudbury from 1638 to 1938 (or something). I decided to give it a go, all 1,000 pages or so of it. And then I had an amazing professor in college who focused a lot of his teaching on Boston.

Fast forward to the spring of 1997, when I mentioned to my co-worker Melinda Connor that I went to the Concord parade on Patriot’s Day and thought it to be quite interesting. As fortune (good or bad) would have it, she mentioned that she and her hubby, George, belonged to this group called the Sudbury Companies of Militia & Minute. Was this the same group that had scared the wits out of me as a boy? She told me a little of what the SCMM was about suggested that I come to a "muster" (a what?) and check it out.

Now, I don’t remember the exact month that I attended my first muster, but I do know that I was instantly and quite willingly hooked. Was it the camaraderie seen amongst the members? My passion for history? The free food? The free beer? The chance to spend untold amounts of money on what I could only assume were unfinished pants and vests? Was it my subconscious demanding that I pay-forward the fears of my youth brought on by the Minutemen? I guess I’ll never really know, but I knew this was for me.

Over the years, I became more and more involved, acting as door-duty coordinator, and taking turns working the Faire as food booth lead and Faire Chairman. I also began reenacting with other groups. Then one fateful night in June of 2006, I was approached by Keith Downer, who asked if I wanted "to be one of us". Now, I thought the "us" he was referring to were going to raid the Inn’s pantry for food or, at the very least, help set up the room for the muster. It was only after he didn’t lead me to the kitchen that I realized he meant if I want to stand for Quartermaster, a path that would lead me to eventually become the Colonel of the Companies.

It was on a glorious day in September 2009 when I had the honor of ascending to Colonel of the Sudbury Companies and was to begin the greatest year of my reenacting.

It wasn’t long before I was able to give my Colonel skills a test. In October, we gathered at the Willard Clock Museum for a musket drill. Since I already knew how to drill (from several years of marching with other groups) I figured, how difficult could it be to actually lead a drill? As I was soon to find out, the answer was: very difficult. I stumbled and staggered my way through that initial drill, and vowed to re-learn and practice the manual of arms. However, the best laid plans often go up in flames. (Confession time: I’m sure I never learned how to lead a drill properly, but we all got through the year nevertheless.)

The big new event of the year, one that I had been kicking about in my mind for years, was the "Battle of the Red Horse Tavern". One a crisp day in early November, we (a good number of SCMM) and about 100 of our closest friends from various units gathered for a day of tacticals, scavenger hunts, and skirmishing on the grounds of the Inn. The day was a tremendous success, as all had a great time. Some even stayed in the bar way too late and turned the great day into a great night.

There was much consternation about our annual trek to the North Bridge, as the month of March was the wettest on record, and nearly all the roads out of Sudbury were flooded. The wetness continued into early April, with not one but two once-in-a-hundred-year rainstorms on consecutive weekends. One week before the march, the causeway was still under four feet of water, (assuming the causeway hadn’t been washed downstream) and it looked as if the Park would once again make us take the long way around.

Fortunately, the river subsided quickly, and we arrived on the east side of the river with a song in our hearts, dry stockings on our feet, and too little pay in our pockets. Although this particular April 19^th happened to fall on the Monday holiday, Sudbury somehow managed to avoid all contact with any of the other minute companies or parade.

The remainder of the spring and summer were filled with assorted parades and ceremonies all over the state. In each of these we looked and sounded better than the last. What a fine bunch we are.

At the 2010 Faire, on an equally glorious day as that of a year ago, I took the Colonel’s sword off for one last time. WHAT A YEAR IT WAS!!!!

Remember:

• Col. Neuhauser’s first "drill"
• The first Battle of the Red Horse Tavern
• Celebrating the 80th Birthday of Henry Ford’s Grist Mill, which got our pictures in the newspaper again.
• How the Inn misplaced Dana’s ceremonial tankard for several months, and then unceremoniously attached the plaque, complete with bent nails and dents.
• Tony’s roast of "Paul Neuhausere"
• The unbelievable and unending early-morning hospitality of Perry and Ursula Smoot
• The reappearance of a horse and rider on our march to Concord, in the form of Huckleberry Finn McCool and Dave Loda
• Les Longworth’s cartoons once again posted along the route of march
• Our first live musket shoot since the 1960s, and Jack McCarter flinging his rammer at Larry Leonard’s noggin
• Seeing Joe Brown, Mo Fitzgerald, and Bob Oram at the Memorial Day Ceremonies
• Being clocked on radar at 12 mph during the Brookline Flag Day Parade, requiring the lt. Colonel to "apex" around corners when wheeling the column
• Jim Doherty’s reading of the entire Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July at the Inn, which was still shorter than one of Colonel Neuhauser’s ramblings
• The debut of the SCMM Facebook Fan Page, which "Big Chief No-Fun of the I Don’t Wanna Tribe" approved, but firmly resolved to avoid
• Marching in the Quaboag Parade, and trying to get Jack McCarter to walk in the "gifts" left by the horses. The parade was supposed to be two miles long, but it was more like five, and then having to walk all the way back. Fortunately Anita Bausk was able to score us a ride in the back of a pick-up
• The lovely new canvas for Ye Food Tent, the sutler’s wedding, and another terrific Faire
• And finally, Colonel "a-block-and-then-some" Neuhauser’s non-stop parade volleys.

"Never before, and never again, would the Companies know such supreme leadership…” — in his own words, upon his ascendancy, September 2010

Early in Jim’s tenure, we had the sad duty to bid final farewell to our good friend and beloved retired Colonel, Frank Marini. He was laid to rest on a bitter December day, with salutes from the military groups to which he belonged: the U.S. Army, the 85ieme Regiment de Saintonge, and the Sudbury Companies. His presence has been missed.

The winter chill began to warm as the Route Committee planned Jim’s roast. Tony “Monty Python” Howes asked the question, “What if Ezekiel How had been a lawyer instead of an innkeeper?” Mining this rich vein of humor, we proceeded with the embarrassment of “Ebeneezer O’Dorrity, Esq.” at the April muster. Despite being plagued with a number of equipment gremlins, the roast was received with much hilarity.

Documentary filmmakers and TV advertisers took renewed interest in the minuteman mystique during Jim’s year as Colonel. He was peppered with requests from producers looking for costumed extras to promote various products from beer to ice cream. One deluded TV producer thought we were the anti-immigration “minutemen” who patrol the border with Mexico, and wanted one of us to live undercover with a Chicano family. Such are the trials of your embattled Colonel.

Just before the April march, Jim was confronted with yet another dilemma: the potential shutdown of our beloved Federal Government, which would have resulted in the closing of Minuteman National Park and access to the North Bridge. The crisis was averted at the last minute, but there was serious talk of civil disobedience and criminal trespass. Rain threatened during the wee hours of April 19, and the weather deteriorated during the day. It started to come down in earnest about 10:00 am, but that didn’t deter us from being the first unit to fire at Colonel Barrett’s home in living memory. Our thanks go to Ranger Jim Hollister and the NPS for allowing the Sudbury Minutemen this honor.

At the Memorial Day parade, we learned of another sad passing: the death of former Colonel and the Companies’ Barber-Surgeon Dan Grillo. Dan also marched with the Saintonge and the End Zone Militia. He could usually be found plying his trade at the Colonial Faire, where he would shock and delight fairgoers with detailed descriptions of medical procedures in the “good” old days. We will miss his gruff-but-lovable personality, great stories, quick wit, and ready smile.

The following weekend, Larry conducted our Second Annual Live Musket Shoot, again at the Maynard Rod & Gun Club. While the Colonel made a tempting target, none of the officers or men were threatened with injury this year. (This is probably because Jack got a cleaning brush jammed halfway down his barrel early in the event.)

Remember:

• How much Jim’s home resembled Lego Land
• Jim’s prodigious capacity for strong drink "A Shirley Temple, and make it a double!"

... One thing I was pleased to do while an officer was to revive the custom of collecting a ‘Squirrel’ from each Colonel. (During the first 26 years of the Companies’ existence, a cast of several had faithfully kept a record of each Colonel’s tenure, called “To Kill a Squirrel”. Each Squirrel serves as a history of the activities of the Companies during that Colonel’s year in office.) For some reason, the tradition went dormant after “Wee Bob” Childs retired in 1990. By 2009, it seemed high time to pick up the baton, and preserve the memories of the Colonels who had come later, starting with Ed Kreutz. We haven’t heard from everyone yet, but we did manage to collect another 14 Squirrels for the archives.

Another thing of which I am proud was the creation of the SCMM Facebook Page in January 2010. Over the protests of some good-natured Luddites in the membership, we quickly accumulated several hundred friends, and opened another channel by which to communicate with the larger reenacting community. (As of August 2014, we achieved 500 'likes'!)

Three years passed quickly, and Faire Day 2012 arrived. My debut as Colonel was marred by an unwarranted arrest by Redcoated vermin. (This is nothing new; it’s a Sudbury tradition.) However, it was my unique misfortune to be shot in the back in a most cowardly fashion, and in front of the entire field of Faire-goers, including my dear mother and father! The scoundrel who pulled the trigger was none other than one Christopher Charles Woolf (who wishes to remain anonymous), Captain of the 4th Company of Foot (King’s Own). (By some miracle, the miscreant was elected later that year as Sudbury’s 54th Quartermaster. The membership must have approved.)

Here are some of the highlights of my year, gleaned from the ten muster notices and 56 email blasts I sent out. It seemed like every week or two brought another opportunity for cheerful service!

• My first test: organizing a last-minute honor guard for a Marlboro veteran’s funeral. We turned out six muskets, and gave a proper send-off to Mr. Marc Chevalier. (I learned that, to my great relief, the modern Sudbury Minutemen, like their forebears, can be relied upon to mobilize on a moment’s notice.)
• Our excellent muster speakers: George Quintal, J.L. Bell, Jayne Gordon, Ric Wasley, Robert Perry, and the Sudbury Ancients
• The SAR grave-marking in Lexington in October, and the SAR Wreaths Across America ceremonies in Worcester in December
• The 4th Annual Battle of the Red Horse Tavern, and a composite photo shoot there by a film crew from Los Angeles. (Later that week, I donned some of Russell Crowe’s wardrobe from Master and Commander, and portrayed a 19^th C. captain on board the USS Constitution for a day, an experience I'll never forget.)
• Our educational outreach to Larry Gomes’s N. Carolina visitors in November, and the International Fellows of the National Defense University (DoD) in September
• The Battle Road Brewing Company launch party, and the Sudbury Minuteman Ale proposal Passing the hat for the victims of Hurricane Sandy (the largest Atlantic hurricane on record); those affected by the devastating Oklahoma tornadoes (neighbors of Tarra Bausk); for Marvin the bartender who got burned-out of his apartment; and to help the family of the ailing Rex Trailer to travel to Florida to visit
• The always-festive Holiday Muster with the Jolly Rogues, preceded by the singing of Carols in the Old Bar Room, and the candlelight walk to the Chapel
• The Twelfth Night and Regimental Balls, with music by Yankee Volunteers, and George Fogg calling the dance
• The parades: Pole-Capping in Bedford, Memorial Day and July 4th in Sudbury, and the new North Shore Veterans Appreciation Parade in Lynn. We also welcomed Warren Kaye, Commander of the Kentish Guards, as our new Parade Committee Chairman, and Jennifer Cushing Toth as Color Guard Mistress
• The Ordinary Evening (organized by Sgt. Larry Leonard) in March, and the raffle of Dave Hanlon’s handsome cartridge box (won by Ret. Col. Jim Doherty) at the March muster
• The time I left a package for Carl Hutchinson at the front desk of the Inn, labeled "NOT a Swedish Penis Enlarger Pump". It was there for two weeks.
• Joining the Patriot’s Day Honor Guard on the field at Fenway on Marathon Monday, an exciting start to a tragic day in Boston
• Distributing the first 50th Anniversary Challenge Coins at the Colonel’s Dinner on April 18 (Ret. Col. Hal Cutler, a Goodnow decendant, generously donated his own coin to be placed into the Town of Sudbury Time Capsule, to be opened in 2063.)
• The march to Concord on Friday April 19, during the manhunt and capture of the Boston Marathon bombers; the Sudbury Police asked us not to fire, but tradition won out at the Concord town line! Being accompanied on the march once again by Dave Loda (portraying Alarm Rider Abel Prescott), and his trusty mount, Huckleberry Finn McCool
• Participating in Rex Trailer’s memorial service the following day, with a ceremonial laying down of arms
• The SCMM’s 50th Birthday Party, and the presentation of the new Founder’s Plaque to surviving founders Joe Brown, Mo Fitzgerald, and Ed Kreitsek
• The 3rd Annual Live Shoot at the Maynard Rod & Gun Club, and working the elegant crowd at the annual Wayside Inn Antiques Show
• lt. Col. Jack in command at the Wayland 375 kick-off, and the Willard House & Clock Museum’s Harvest Festival drill
• The presentation of awards to the Watertown Police, the Sudbury Foundation, the Wayside Inn, Kevin & Barbara Gatlin, and Larry & Mary Leonard
• Welcoming long-time Inn staffer Steve Pickford as the newest Innkeeper, and returning to Monday musters after a brief flirtation with Wednesdays
• The very successful 2013 Colonial Faire which, for the first time in years, was not threatened by rain, and saw the debut of the new Recruitment Tent, graciously donated by former drummer Pete Ames. Leading the Parade of Fyfes & Drums onto the muster field at the Faire, an hour after passing the Howe Sword to incoming Colonel McCarter (may Divine Providence smile upon his tenure)

In Memoriam:

• Rex Trailer, Co-Founder and Captain of Horse
• Palmer True, Bicentennial Colonel
• Ted Stone, Colonel 1978-79
• Pvt. Bob Stepanik

Looking back, I don’t know which was the bigger thrill: leading the Companies onto the Bridge as Colonel on April 19 2013, or being part of the first march as a kid in 1964. But I do know this: I will cherish the memory of both for the rest of my days.