An area author is championing for the community to unite over an initiative to recognize the events that kicked off the Revolutionary War.
According to Michelle Compton, a Chanute writer, the Two Lights for Tomorrow initiative was started by The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, a group of historians commemorating Virginia History.
The night of April 18, will mark 250 years since Paul Revere famously rode from Boston to Lexington to tell various Sons of Liberty members and militiamen “The Regulars are coming out!” This message was also spread by William Dawes and Samuel Prescott.
To recognize this historic night, Compton says these historians are promoting a national night of observance on the evening of April 18.
To take part in the event, all one needs are any two lights placed outside of the home. The lights allude to the two lanterns that Paul Revere asked a friend to hang in the window of Christ Church. These lanterns signaled to other Sons of Liberty that British Troops were planning to cross the Charles River.
“As for the lights themselves, there aren’t any hard or fast rules; creativity is encouraged,” Compton said. “I picked up a couple of solar lights from Walmart.
I put them on either side of my sidewalk near my front porch.”
Some other options for lights include: leaving porch lights on, using paper lanterns, garden lights, or pool lights.
“Our country is not perfect by any means, and we Americans disagree with each other about a variety of issues, but this is supposed to be a simple gesture to unite us,” Compton said. “Leaving two lights out is like saying ‘I still stand with my compatriots to honor and continue the legacy that began 250 years ago.’ Isn’t it nice to feel united with your fellow countrymen on more than just one day, July 4?”
According to Compton, this day of recognition could be just as uniting as Independence Day.
“People who participate in this event are basically showing, ‘I honor the courage of the men who made the ride that night. I appreciate the sacrifices of the men and women who fought for our independence, and I stand for the nation they gave us,’” Compton said. “We’re setting aside our differences and putting out lights to show there is still common ground; we still honor our origins and even if we don’t always see eye to eye about what the solutions are, we still want what is best for our country.”
Compton is not alone in celebrating this night. Some other southeast Kansas communities are taking part in Two Lights for Tomorrow, like Independence, which declared April 18, Two Lights for Tomorrow Day at a recent city commission meeting.
Compton and her mother are printing off coloring sheets that she passed to Brighter Beginnings Daycare attendees.
“It’s a way of introducing the children to history and letting their parents know about the event,” Compton said. “I also have been telling people at the church I attend, First Baptist.”
With a country often described as “divided,” Compton believes that differences of opinion between neighbors are okay.
“Even some of the founding fathers disliked each other. However, they still worked together for the good of the nation,” Compton said. “If they can do it, so can we. Many brave people have died for this country, it is up to us to live for it.”
To learn more about Two Lights for Tomorrow, visit https://va250.org/two-lights/.
