Note-If you don't know who Francis Marion is go Google him-or better yet read chapter 6 "The Battle of Parker's Ferry, 1781" in my book.
This past week I the distinct honor of meeting one of my heroes- General Francis Marion AKA "The Swamp Fox." He looked a little different than I thought he would. He was about 4 feet tall, had blond hair and was in the second grade (Oh- and his real name was Donny).
What am I talking about? This young man (you know you are old when you can say "young man" and it does not come across as sounding odd) goes to an elementary school in Mount Pleasant. As part of a class project he was given the task of presenting some information on a individual and coming to school dressed as this person. His mother is a friend of our family and she knows I work at the South Carolina Historical Society where we are fortunate enough to keep a pistol once owned by the General. This weapon is ca. 1790, so it is not something he would have been taking potshots at the British with. It is a rather elegant weapon, of Italian make and is studded with silver-plated mythological creatures such as Medusa and a Griffon. According to the family that donated to the SCHS it was a gift to Marion from Lafayette himself.
Wanting to give the most accurate presentation he could Donny asked permission to come to the SCHS in the costume he had put together and have his picture taken holding the pistol. The Director of the SCHS, Dr. Jensen, agreed to this request and he was able to be photographed holding this surviving relic of Marion (please note-he wore protective gloves and was monitored by staff- all told the pistol was out of its protective wrapping less than 5 minutes).
What really stood out for me, however, was the fact that Donny was given complete freedom to choose who he wanted represent. There were no parameters- the figure didn’t even have to be historical. Apparently, in his class there was one George Washington and a female Abe Lincoln...and three Tony Hawk's. Who knew that Tony Hawk was so popular (another sign of approaching decrepitness- not knowing current celebrities...and making up words)? So my tri-corner hat is off to Donny for not going as Tony Hawk or Zac Effron (see- I still got it) or a ninja turtle (too dated, maybe) and actually choosing someone from South Carolina who played an important role in the American Revolution.
So while waving previously-said tri-corner hat I give Donny an appropriate period HUZZAH for taking such an active interest in the Palmetto State. He should get an A.
I think the General would agree.
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