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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The American Village celebrated the Two Lights for Tomorrow initiative on Friday, April 18 as part of the ongoing celebrations relating to the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Two Lights For Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative honoring the 250th anniversary of the moment when Paul Revere and other riders signaled the approach of British troops toward Lexington and Concord. The famous signal used in the Old North Church was “One if by land, two if by sea,” warning colonial soldiers to prepare to defend themselves and their communities.

In partnership with America250 Alabama, the American Village encouraged citizens to light two candles or lanterns in homes, schools, churches or to leave two lights on in businesses on the evening of Friday, April 18. Melanie Poole, the American Village’s communications officer, outlined what the American Village to celebrate the holiday.

“At the American Village two large spotlights lit up the sky next to our Colonial Chapel with the glow of liberty, reminding each other of the vigilance and courage that define us as Americans,” Poole said. “Across Alabama, people commemorated the event with two candles, lanterns or other lights. Many read the poem ‘Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride’ to their children. County commissions and city councils did the same in meetings during the month of April, reading Alabama Governor Ivey’s Proclamation on Two Lights for Tomorrow, or enacting their own. School children created paper lanterns for every classroom in their school, and many were visited by Paul Revere themselves.”

Poole further described how the imagery of Paul Revere’s ride and the “two lights” serve as a symbolic message for this generation.

“This initiative presents a meaningful opportunity to educate current and future generations, and to reflect collectively on the sacrifices made in the pursuit of liberty and the vigilance and courage that define us as Americans,” Poole said. “Participation is not merely a commemoration of the past, but an active contribution to the ongoing creation of a living legacy as a collective community.”

Along with the sky spotlights, the American Village commemorated the event with a small but impactful ceremony, according to Poole.

“A Paul Revere interpreter rode through campus on horseback at dusk, to finally arrive at the Colonial Chapel,” Poole said. “Upon dismounting, he handed lanterns to two children who hung them proudly in front of the chapel. This handover signified the passage of responsibility as American citizens from our founders to us today. American Village President and CEO Alan Miller and Chief Education Officer Val Crofts gave reflections on freedom, liberty and the importance of this event. Two spotlights then lit up the evening sky, flanking the Colonial Chapel. Their light could be seen for miles in every direction. The spotlights continued to shine throughout the night, just as the lanterns did in the Old North Church 250 years ago on April 18, 1775.”

For more information on the American Village, visit Americanvillage.org.