April 23, 2011
IT'S NOT EVEN HIS BEST QUOTE:
Gen. Stark: More than a man with a motto (DAN TUOHY, 4/22/11, New Hampshire Union Leader)
The Friends of Stark Park, joining forces again this Monday with the Sons of the American Revolution, are looking to raise public awareness of the Revolutionary War hero beyond his famous words: "Live Free or Die; Death is not the worst of evils."A celebration of John Stark Day at the Stark family grave site is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday.
"The significance of it is huge," said Mike Rounds, a spokesman for the New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. "He made a huge contribution to the American Revolution."
Still, Rounds said, New Hampshire can do more to recognize Stark's role in the Revolutionary War and celebrate New Hampshire's history in the birth of the nation.
Stark (1728-1822) was born in Londonderry, served in Rogers Rangers, fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, and later in the 1777 Battle of Bennington, which led to British Gen. John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga.
A statue of Revilutionary War Gen. John Stark in Manchester's Stark Park, is ready for General Stark Day on Monday.
It was in 1809 when Stark, unable to make a reunion with his comrades, offered his toast: Live Free or Die; Death is not the worst of evils. It wasn't until 1945 that "Live Free or Die" became the official state motto.
"Now, my men, yonder are the Hessians; they were bought for seven pounds tenpence a man. Are you worth more? Prove it. To-night the American flag floats over yonder hill, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow!"
Posted by oj at April 23, 2011 8:19 AM
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