Celebration of America 250 took place last Saturday in the city’s downtown Veterans Park with the unveiling of a Liberty Tree. The event featured Tennessee’s state tree, the tulip poplar, recently planted in the park. This ceremony was initiated by the local chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution who placed a marker to identify which tree it was. DAR presented the program with Alderman Matthew Bird and Tree Board Chairman Ralph Graham participating.

Historically, the Liberty Tree was a treasured symbol leading up to the American Revolution. In towns across the 13 colonies, local patriots would select a large tree to serve as a meeting place. In Boston a large elm became the most famous, where the “Sons of Liberty” would rally against British rule. For nearly a decade it was a site of protest until August 1775 when the British cut it down. Although the original liberty trees are long gone, towns and cities across the US still plant them as living reminders of the people who fought for the birth of our nation.

In last Saturday’s program, the Liberty Tree dedication was again joined by our military. Lt. Jennie S. Kuebitz of the Navy Nurse’s Corp sang the National Anthem, and the Tullahoma High School Marine Corp sJROTC color guard presented the United States flag.

The city also has an elm tree, in memory of the Boston elm, located in the Arboretum at the disc golf course.