SAR DeSoto Trace Chapter Holds Liberty Tree Dedication in El Dorado, AR

June 17, 2026 – The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) DeSoto Trace Chapter of Hot Springs, AR conducted a Liberty Tree Dedication ceremony on June 10, 2026 as part of the America 250th Celebration.  The ceremony was held at the El Dorado, Arkansas Municipal Auditorium.  This elm tree was planted several weeks ago with the combined effort of the DeSoto Trace Chapter, City of El Dorado, and the local Dirt Friends Garden Group.

This Liberty Tree commemorates the elm tree that once stood near the Boston Common prior to the American Revolution. The elm tree was chopped down by the British Loyalists in 1775.  It became known as the “Liberty Tree”.   During the preceding years this tree became a rallying point for the growing resistance to British rule over the American colonies.

Compatriot Charles McLemore of Mount Ida served as the master of ceremony for the event.  Compatriot McLemore has served in several leadership roles in the SAR, including Chapter President, State President, and National Vice President General, to name a few.  He began the ceremony with a welcome and then introduced El Dorado Mayor Paul Choate and the five members of the Daughters of the American Revolution that were present including Dee Brian, Chapter Regent of the Tate’s Bluff Chapter in Camden.  Mayor Choate next provided a warm welcome to the attendees.

An Invocation was provided by Dr. Darrell Over of Pine Bluff, Arkansas State President.  Next, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rodney Young of Hot Springs Village, DeSoto Trace Chapter President and recited by all present.  The American’s Creed was led by Mark Baldwin of El Dorado, DeSoto Trace Chapter Registrar.  Wayne Shewmake of Dardanelle, DeSoto Trace Chapter and Arkansas State Chairman of the Liberty Tree Project followed with the History of the Liberty Tree.

Mark Baldwin then followed with a reading of one verse of the poem, “He Who Plants a Tree”, by Lucy Larcom.  In closing he expressed thanks to the following for their assistance: City of El Dorado and Mayor Paul Choate, Dirt Friends Garden Group, El Dorado Union County Chamber of Commerce, The Diamond Agency, South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society, El Dorado News-Times

Dr. Darrell Over concluded the ceremony with a Benediction.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture provided 37 elm trees to the Arkansas Society Sons of the American Revolution (ARSSAR).  With this dedication, Union County is now one of 17 counties that have either planted Liberty Trees or have plans to do so.  The Arkansas Liberty Tree Project is part of a national initiative of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR).

Picture at top (L to R): Compatriot Mark Baldwin, Past VPG Charles McLemore, State President Dr. Darrell Over, Compatriot Wayne Shewmake, and DeSoto Trace Chapter President Rodney Young.

Pictured (L to R): Sally Baldwin, DAR Provincia de La Sal chapter, DAR/SAR Liaison; Pat McLemore, DAR Akansa Chapter Librarian; Dee Brian, DAR Tate’s Bluff chapter, Chapter Regent; Jean Hadley, DAR Tate’s Bluff chapter; and Susan Over, Pine Bluff – John McAlmont, State DAR/SAR Liaison.