Louisiana America 250: Group wants to report on the role of the state in the American Revolution
Published on Thursday, August 22, 2024, 11:12 am
- Four people who will help the country celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026 are (from left) State Rep. Michael Bayham of Chalmette, Russ Godwin of Lake Charles, Rosie Rios of San Francisco and Rae Gremillion of Lafayette. (Special to L’Obervateur)
By Jim Beam
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, and an organization called Louisiana America 250 will help commemorate this state’s involvement in the American Revolution that led to the country’s independence.
Russ Godwin of Lake Charles, state president of the Sons of the American Revolution and secretary of Louisiana America 250, plays a key role in telling Louisiana’s story. The state organization’s website is https://america250la.org.
The Sons of the American Revolution honor the patriotic forefathers of the Revolutionary War by promoting patriotism, serving the community, and educating and inspiring future generations about the country’s founding principles.
Godwin presented the City of Lake Charles with a certificate of honor for exemplary patriotism in displaying the American flag. Mayor Nic Hunter accepted the certificate at a meeting of the Mayor’s Armed Services Committee.
Al Cochran, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Mayor’s Commission, was recognized as the newest SAR member. The local branch’s website is https://www.oliverpollocksar.org/.
Godwin said he first joined the Sons of the American Revolution by helping his father, the late 14th Judicial Circuit Judge Fred Godwin, fill out his membership application. Russ, his son Russell and his father all joined at the same time after proving their lineage.
Godwin was appointed to the Louisiana America 250 Commission by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, and Nungesser also serves on the commission.
Former State Rep. Tanner Magee (R-Houma) sponsored the concurrent House resolutions that created Louisiana America 250 during the 2022 and 2023 regular sessions of the Legislature.
Earlier this year, lawmakers approved the issuance of a new standard license plate for 2025 and 2026 to commemorate Louisiana America 250.
The commission is chaired by Michael Bayham of the state House of Representatives. The commission’s vice-chair is Robert Freeland of Granaderos y Damas de Galvez, a nonprofit civic-patriot organization. The commission’s treasurer is Michael McKnight of the Louisiana State Museums.
Rosie Gumataotao Rios, former United States Secretary of the Treasury, is chair of America250, which held its state and territory meeting in Washington, DC, July 9-11.
The website America250La first mentions the involvement of the Louisiana colony in the American Revolution when New Orleans merchant Oliver Pollock began secretly supporting the American uprising against the British in 1775.
In August 1776, General Charles Lee sent two officers of the Continental Army to request supplies from the Spanish governor of Louisiana, Luis Unzaga y Amezaga, in New Orleans.
On September 19, 1776, the Spanish Crown issued a royal decree replacing Governor Unzaga with Colonel Bernardo de Galvez as Governor of Louisiana. He became governor on January 1, 1777.
Godwin said Galvez led Spain’s efforts to aid the American colonists against Britain. He recruited an army of 7,500 men made up of Spanish, French, Cajuns, African Americans, Canarians, Mexicans, Cubans, Native Americans and Anglo-American forces.
During the war, Galvez and his troops defeated the British in battles in Baton Rouge; Natchez, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; and Pensacola, Florida. The Regimiento de Luisiana also operated in the present-day states of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Minnesota.
Congress named Galvez an honorary citizen of the United States in 2014.
Oliver Pollock was appointed agent in Louisiana by the Continental Congress in the winter of 1778.
On April 12, 1779, France and Spain signed the Convention of Aranjuez, which provided for an aggressive alliance against Great Britain. Spain declared war on Great Britain on June 21, 1779.
Galvez left New Orleans on August 27, 1779, with a regiment of 1,400 Louisiana regulars, including whites, free blacks, and Native Americans. The regiment defeated British forces at Baton Rouge.
On March 14, 1780, Galvez’s unit captured Mobile after a month-long siege to capture additional British holdings in the colony of West Florida.
Galvez’s regiment captured Pensacola from the British on May 8, 1781, marking the culmination of the Spanish conquest of West Florida.
America250la said it will continue to update and complete Louisiana’s involvement in the American Revolution.
