Reverend asks Greene County to proclaim June 29–July 5 as week of celebration for U.S. 250th anniversary

Reverend Donald P. Wilson asked the Greene County Board of Commissioners during public comment on March 18 to consider proclaiming June 29 through July 5 as a week of celebration, reflection and thanksgiving in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

"I would like to approach the board to consider, naming the following date, June 29 through July 5 as a week of celebration, reflection, and thanksgiving in honor of our nation's 200 and fiftieth anniversary," Wilson said, and offered to provide commissioners with a written draft of the proclamation.

Wilson proposed that the week culminate with a community worship service at Roberts Chapel on the Williamsburg University campus, suggesting a 7 p.m. Sunday service time to avoid conflict with regular morning worship. He named a suggested committee to help plan the event and said the group would include Douglas Lee, the university president; Reverend Lawrence Stratton, a professor of ethics and constitutional law; "Mister Jared Ed Green, chairman of the county commissioners"; and himself, "Reverend Doctor Donald P. Wilson, a Presbyterian minister." He told commissioners he has a committee in place and asked for the board’s support.

Wilson said the university would waive the facility fee and that expected costs would be minimal, with any modest expenses (organist, audio technician, janitorial support) to be covered by offerings collected at the event. He said he would provide copies of the proposed proclamation to the commissioners.

Commissioners responded positively in the public comment period and asked Wilson to submit the proclamation draft for placement on the agenda. The meeting adjourned after public comment.