Editorial

Editorial

A true patriot

That’s William Carrigan, pictured below with Uncle Sam.

What more appropriate scene to capture the character of Mr. Carrigan—standing on the lawn of his home on July Fourth, joined by the personification of America and the entertainers he had invited. On behalf of his wife Ramona, Mr. Carrigan said farewell Monday during the Independence Day celebration which he had sponsored for 26 years.

“We’re getting old,” he said, “and it’s time to pass the torch.”

And pass it he did, in the true spirit of America. The Carrigans have added a covenant to the Avon Hall deed which will allow the town to use the grounds of the property for its celebration in future years.

In a time when owners of valuable properties are more likely to be found consulting lawyers about ways to get around restrictions, the Carrigans’ action is doubly remarkable. They have thought first of the good of the community, of the spirit of patriotism in which they so strongly believe, and second of their own material gain.

Two weeks ago, this newspaper spoke out against the developers who seem so eager to despoil the countryside for their own personal, material gain.

We’re happy to have the opportunity to recognize two individuals, William and Ramona Carrigan, who have made an immense contribution toward the preservation of our heritage.

Anyone who has spent time with Mr. Carrigan has heard him speak of patriotism, of what the heritage of this country means to him. He speaks too of the heritage of Rappahannock County, and of Washington, V a., and the pride which he and his wife take in being a part of it.

And, with his generous gift to the people of Rappahannock by ensuring a place for our annual Independence Day celebration, Mr. Carrigan has also ensured that his patriotic spirit will be remembered.

To him, the cookouts and fireworks mean nothing unless we remember the event we mark each year — the founding of our democracy. He related the question asked of Benjamin Franklin when the deliberations of the Continental Congress were completed: “What have we, Ben?”

Franklin answered, “A Republic — if we can keep it.”

For 212 sometimes stormy years, we have kept the Republic. But Franklin’s admonition, “If we can keep it,” looms as large as it did that July day in Philadelphia.

William and Ramona Carrigan have guided the establishment of a tradition in Rappahannock County. They have handed the torch to the next generation — it is up to us to carry on the tradition.

And, for their part, they have our thanks for their stewardship, and the certain knowledge that they have indeed, in Mr. Carrigan’s words, “taken good care, and passed it on to the next generation a little better than we found it.”