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Sons of the American Revolution dedicate memorial bench at Pike County courthouse ahead of 250th anniversary
Summary
Members of the Big Sandy chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution dedicated a memorial bench and acknowledged related commemorative projects at the Pike County courthouse. The bench is part of a broader SAR effort tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
Edward Keaton, president of the Big Sandy chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, led a brief dedication ceremony for a memorial bench at the Pike County courthouse, saying the bench is part of a nationwide SAR project tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4, 2026.
Keaton said the Big Sandy chapter plans multiple similar installations across the region and described the bench and an accompanying Doughboys statue as tributes to Americans who served. "this is all in anticipation of the big day, which is 07/04/2026," Keaton said during the ceremony.
The group identified four local installations planned between now and mid-2026: one in Morehead (Rowan County), one in Prestonsburg (Floyd County), one in West Liberty (Morgan County) and the Pike County courthouse bench. Keaton said the Pike County installation is the Big Sandy chapter’s first such project and that other chapters will place similar memorials in the region.
Keaton thanked Judge Ray Jones, the Pike County Fiscal Court and Jenny Robinson for helping to place the bench at the courthouse. He also acknowledged a floral tribute from the Parkville Daughters of the American Revolution chapter and invited local participants to speak with SAR members after the ceremony.
The program included a pledge of allegiance led by Grant Shear, introduced as a life scout with a Boy Scout troop from Hager Hill, and brief prayers delivered by Norm Markham; those ceremonial prayers were part of the program but not reported in detail. Participants including community members named Esther, Sam and Roger placed a floral tribute at the bench during the dedication.
Organizers said the bench and related installations are intended as public memorials marking national history and local veterans’ service and as preparatory events for 2026 observances. No formal governmental actions or votes were taken during the ceremony.
