Commemorative Ceremony Article

“We Hope You Saw It!” - Kristy Lawrie Gravlin

Perhaps a hundred years from today another writer may present information to the Plano Record relating ancient history of a community event--much like the Yesteryear articles tell of past events. But to you and to me, this news is still only a few days old.

On Saturday, May 28th, the Commemoration of the 250th Birthday of Daniel Burroughs, Revolutionary War Veteran, was celebrated in Griswold Cemetery south of Plano.

Daniel was born in Connecticut. He enlisted at age 20 and spent four different enlistments in the Militia over a five year period as he helped fight battles that eventually won the Revolutionary War. He raised a family, moved to Vermont and then Ohio; and finally moved with two of his sons (grown and with families) to Little Rock Township in 1837 (17 years before Plano began) at the age of 82.

Consider what a trip that must have been! Traveling by wagon, crammed in with everything they felt they had to take with them, they rarely made more than 15 miles in a day. A trip from Plano to Hinckley and back would have taken them two full days. There was no radio to listen to, no air conditioning, no cushioned seats, and no restaurants or motels. He chose to make that difficult trip.

Once they finally arrived, he helped to farm the 570 acres that his boys claimed--despite his advanced years. Retirement was rarely considered then. He died at 88 and was the first pioneer buried in that little cemetery on River Road.

Two kids showed up about 90 minutes early that morning. Paul and Celia were VERY excited about the event. They commented on how much better the cemetery was looking (thanks to the hard work of Gayla Struck and Bob Newton). They told us that they were anxiously awaiting the guest speaker, hoped "desperately" to get an autograph (they did), and that it was so wonderful that he was coming. They knew his entourage was going to use their driveway to park in and base out of. You would think it was a rock star who was on the way. Then they worked hard with us, hauling chairs, setting them up, etc. They really made a difference in getting done on time.

There was lots of pageantry that morning. Sixty uniformed Scouts, both boys and girls, formed a corridor holding Revolutionary War flags. A Legion color guard (part modern, part Revolutionary uniforms) presented the Colors. A fife and drum corps in uniform and a bagpiper played period music at several points during the service. Rich Healy introduced the speakers who brought us much to consider.

Plano Mayor Bill Roberts led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Historian Elmer Dickson shared Daniel’s biographical information, and he shares Daniel's birthday too. The eulogy was given by Keith Tucker before Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert spoke to the group about the courage of Patriots such as Daniel, and all the others who have risked their lives in order to preserve our Country.

Next came the unveiling of the commemorative stone. It was beautifully engraved and set in place by Kings Monuments of Sandwich.

Don Parrish of the SAR, and Anne Sears of the DAR, removed the Green Mountain flag. Two descendants of Daniel were there to place a wreath in his memory, Bonnie Gifford Naramore and Phyllis Jones Wykes. The flag was presented to Speaker Hastert.

Whitney French read a poem entitled “Freedom is not Free.”

A 21 gun salute by seven Plano Legionnaires, and the playing of taps, closed the service. The Color Guard and musicians then retired from the cemetery, marching through the Scout corridor that was still standing there at attention. They did their job so professionally!

There were estimated to be more than 300 people of all ages who gathered in the cemetery to be a part of this commemoration. The Committee was very pleased to have so many who made the effort to walk down River Road, risk a sprinkle, and listen so attentively to the program. The Kendall County police helped slow traffic on that busy road, and made sure that people could get there safely.

We finally got the 'customers' out of the cemetery. Denny stayed for nearly an hour so all could take pictures and chat with him. The Boy Scouts carried the sixty chairs back to the road, loaded them up and returned them for us! People took the time to chat with friends and walk through the stones to see the names of other pioneers buried there.

Plano’s PAST had several photographers there and there are plans to create a video to preserve the events of the day. If you happened to take a particularly good picture, and would be willing to share a copy of it for our records, please drop it off at the Depot as soon as possible. Mike Johnston of the SAR will be working on the project soon.

In 2005 we were honored by Dennis Hastert's presence as Speaker of the House. Since then his reputation has been sullied by a conviction in 2016 related to sexual molestation of minors. Fox Valley SAR's respect for the office of Speaker in the House is not to be interpreted as approval of what we learned later of Mr. Hastert's life.