I attended the 222nd Memorial Ceremony at Kettle Creek Battlefield yesterday for the first time and it will not be the last time I do so if the tradition continues. The Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution (GASSAR), with Lt. Col. Robert F. Galer as Chairman, did an outstanding job in all aspects of the ceremony. The invocation, by Rev. Jack R. Bozeman, was very moving. While the right to stand in public and offer up a prayer to Almighty God is in serious jeopardy these days, we should remember that we have that right because of the sacrifices those honored men made on a small hill, in Wilkes County,Georgia, in 1779. If we forget those honored men, the rights and freedoms for which they fought will also be forgotten. While about 200 concerned citizens stood in the shadow of that majestic monument, on a beautiful, warm Georgia afternoon, honoring their fallen ancestors, perhaps two million unconcerned and disinterested citizens where watching another Georgian, Bill Elliott, qualify for the Daytona 500. We as Americans should learn to prioritize our priorities but then again, that is what those two million did, because those men on that small hill gave them the right to do so. The GASSAR Color Guard, immaculately uniformed in period dress, presented the colors. All in attendance gave arousing pledge of allegiance to the United States flag. The United States Army band from Fort Gordon, named after another great Georgian, played a number of inspiring pieces as did the Aylors, a husband and wife team of fife and drummer. There were a number of distinguished gentleman and ladies who were introduced during the ceremony. Larry D. McClanahan, Secretary General from Nashville, TN, gave the address.  Layers presented about forty wreaths from various patriotic organizations and descendants including men, women and children. The ceremony culminated with a rifle salute and taps by the United States Army and then the benediction by Rev. Bozeman. I commend all of the men from the Sons of the American Revolution. I also salute the women from the Daughters of the American Revolution who assisted in the ceremony. I have been interested in the Battle of Kettle Creek for many years. My genealogical research revealed that most of my ancestors came through Wilkes County, as did most of those who made the early westward migration. Many of my ancestors lived along Kettle Creek and some fought for a cause they believed in on that hill in 1779. Gen. Elijah Clarke's Chief of Staff was Col. Micajah Williamson, my seventh great grandfather. The general's son John, later governor of Georgia, eloped with Jane Chivers, the step daughter of my fourth great grandfather, Othniel Weaver and sister-in-law of Jesse Mercer. Jane died of pneumonia that cold December night before the wedding ceremony. John later married Nancy, the daughter of Col. Williamson. Elijah’s daughter Mary married Nancy’s brother, Charles. My fifth great grandfather, Rev. Thomas Leverett, fought at Kettle Creek and later married Mary Ann Griffin, the granddaughter of Col. Williamson. A few of my more than 500 relatives who lived near Kettle Creek during that time included Adair, Barron, Barton, Bullock, Burke, Cade, Callaway, Darden, Darracott, Dickerson, Evans, Floyd, Garrard, Hammonds, Hindsman, Jones, McClendon, Mercer, Poole, Reeves, Reynolds, Slayton, Snead, Stephens, Strozier, Talbert, Thrasher, Washington and Wright. Until the 223rd ceremony, I remain, James Lee Weaver, Peachtree City, GA.