ST. MATTHEWS -- Former United States President John Adams presided over the annual patriotic service June 28 at Calhoun Baptist Church in the Sunny Plain community.

Actually, the program's emcee was the Rev. Max Kaster, portraying Adams, who provided a history lesson in which he recounted the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party and the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Kaster also presented a poignant video, titled "Remember Me," by Lizzie Palmer about America's modern-day warriors who are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Kaster told of a little-known event that took place on Dec. 7, 2007 -- a "Liberty Tree" was planted and dedicated on the South Carolina Statehouse grounds. The tree was grown from the seed of one of the original "Liberty Trees" that each of the 13 original states had planted.

Guest speaker for the program was Lt. Col. Bill Connor, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and candidate for South Carolina lieutenant governor. Connor spoke of how the United States was founded on the Bible and its principles, and how those principles relate to the nation today.

Also attending were U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, state Rep. Harry Ott, Calhoun County Council Chairman David Summers, Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers and Calhoun County Clerk of Court Ken Hasty.

After the service, everyone was treated to Texas barbecue brisket prepared by the pastor's son-in-law, Jim Mason.

T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by telephone at 803-874-3276. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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