HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-MFC-rpt.pdf MINUTEMAN FREEDOM COMMITTEE
Of Lexington And Concord
Memo to Committee Members:
Attached is a resume of the activities to date of the Minuteman Freedom
Committee Also enclosed is a copy of a letter that is being distributed to various
townspeople, service organizations, and clergymen in Lexington and Concord
The formation of sub committees to carry out the various functions for the
PATRIOT'S DAY program has been discussed at recent meetings, and the process
is still underway. The make-up of the following activities has thus far been proposed.
DINNER ARRANGEMENTS - Paul Poehler, Marc Carroll
TICKET DISTRIBUTION - Paul Yewell, Judge P Northrup
PUBLICITY - Ernest Kitchen, Alan Adams
TRANSPORTATION - John Barbo
HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS = Dean Nicholson, Dr. Edgar Tucker
TOWN OF LEXINGTON REPRESENTATIVE - Eleanor Litchfield
TOWN OF CONCORD REPRESENTATIVE - Dr Edgar Tucker
INVITATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE - Rev. Floyd Taylor, Dr. Howard Smith,
Anthony Sperduto
PUBLIC ADDRESS = Peter Opeimheimer
ADVISORY COUNCIL Aiden Ripley, Rev Robert Bartlett, Rev. Floyd Taylor,
Dr Arthur Schramm, Prof. Charles Coryell, Rabbi Herbert
Rosenblum.
Expansion to solicit and include additional members is left to each sub com-
mittee Notification of a Committee meeting will be sent soon.
Reports and recommendations from each sub committee will be welcomed
MiNUTEMAN FREEDOM COMMITTEE
Of ilistolical Lexington and Concord
The idea of inviting to Lexington, on PATRIOT'S DAY, the delegates from the newly
formed African nations was originally visualized by Dr & Mrs. Howard Smith while
on a visit to the United Nationsheadquarters in New York last. December.
Heie in Lexington each year on April 19th, we mark the occas:.on of the first battle
of the American Revolution It occurred to .r.tr Smith that it might be fitting for us to
invite the se\.enteen new independent nations Lo join with us in commemorating the
birth of liberty and freedom in our respective cations (178 years a.z,o in our country
and 1 year ago in their countries b
A number of townspeople in Lexington and Concord were consulted by Dr Smith to
sound out their impressions on the idea Piactfcall';/ all paities offered encourage-
ment and urged further action
January 9, 1961 First meeting to launch ID) ograni
Present - Dr H. Smith, P Yeweli, D7.- D. Y.ual, A Sperduto
Dr Smith reported on his activities to date and expressed his desire to formally
set up a committee to carry J ut he program He read his letter of December 21,
1960, sent to Mark Bortman, Chairman of the Civic Cor mittee o{ the People to
People Program, outhning his ptans for April 19th Mr Bortmon's reply of
December 27th offered cooperation and advice, and it urged making contact with
the U N A copy of Dr Smith's letter was sent to the U. S. A. , which, in turn,
contacted Dr Smith to express their enthusiasm
Other Topics Discussed
Naming and expanding committee
2. Possible conflict with oner Lel and Concord activities
3 Transportation and dinner arrangements
Conclusions
Adopted committee nam , 'y iz. , "Minuteman Freedom Cormuttee of
Historical Lexington ant. Concord"
2 Favor Dr Smith's contacting forrier Ambassador Henry Caokt. Lodge. to
seek advice on how best to approach delegates.
3 Propose to call a meeting of other interested and pi.ospective cemmittee
members
January 16, 1961
Dr Smith on telephone communication vreth Lodge
Mr Lodge xesponded with great interest and affirmed the belLef that this -ndeavor
should be good for American-African relations. He gave eficcaragernent to cove
ahead with the plans .and suggested contacting Mr Charles Cook, Consul to tee
U S. mission at the. U N
,Tanuar16, 17, 1961
Dr Smitn's o,•nmur3.7catiois wida Mr Charles Cook v telephone and letter
Mr Cook was receptive to he program and gave assurance that his office
would coopei ate in making arrangements with the delegates lie 3 eferred further
communications on this matter to Mr David Guyer of the U. S - U. N mission
A report from Mr Guyer on initial delegate contacts should be forthcoming in
a few days
January 23, 1961
Dr Smith's telephone communical ion with Mr David Guyer:
Heard from contacts with a, few delegates and reported that they expressed
interest
January 24, 1961
Le'rtei to Mr. Guyez enclosng hoo t o. the Too Celebrations Committee on
the "Celebration of .Apryl 19th fro 7u 1960 in Lexington, Massachusetts It
januai y 30. 1961
Piesent 0. Howald. Smith, R John ..;3arbo, Mark Carroll, Ernest Kitchen,
Dean Nicholson, Judge Plerre Northrup Paul Poe hler, Alden
Anthony ;_:11.->.(.4rdato. Rev Floyd Taylor, Dr Edgar Tucker, and
Richai d 1AT e r 1 Ile
Dr Smith outlines the plans foi, the U. N. delegates' visit on Aprl. 19th and
reports on the comrcx.mications and egotiations w:th the U S conPtd's ofbce
at the United Nations
Topics Th.scussed
On sponsoied dr -,er for delegates - t3c1cet prce, distribution and sale,
need for stimulating enthusiasm in Lexington and Concord, possible
dinner sites .• Lexington High School Dining Hall or Gary Memorial
On proceeds ot dinner - proposal to establish a scholarship fund; for pur-
chase of books for distribution in Africa; for medical or food supplies,
for support of "sister city program" as suggested by U S. I. A.
3. On transportation proposal to aiyange for. chaitei service by air from
New Yorkg., committee can provide private car transportation from an port.
Thoughts on Hanscom F)eld landing: was proposed
4 On E.,,ntertainment pioposa-ls of private home entertainment and hotel
accomodations, oroYerns o possible conflict with Rotary and Con,•ord,
Balls on the eveninp: of the lath
On pi oblems relatmg to Del,,,.gates.
a Language
Possible distorba,:,:ces arising tram
. Question of tncotocol, how "!'13 ,,,td.: eress invitations, etc.
InforTnatic.'n on celeates1 pe-z.sonalities, sensitnities, et(
On guests. and 2niutec opeper,„ --lu.r.'ne -.01.4:s possibilities rrent!oned, aegntu
Eiserho- el 3 L0,-72,e, iletr,
Conclusions
The committee agrees that further confirm.atlon from the United Nations should
be obtained before preparations are set in motion here in Lexington Dr. Smith
will attempt to arrange for Mr Guyer to meet with this committee in order to
brlef us on what 1,,,e should know in entertaining the U N delegates
Meanwhile, pi elrmmary intormation or the following functions wlli be sought:
Dinner Arrangements care of Paul Poshier
Transportation - care of Paul Ye-we11
:Financing care of P. John Barbo
Pubiict>r care of Eines a Kitchen
'eortialy 1 8, 1961
On telephone c ommunications betv,een Dr. Smith and Mr Guyer
Dr Smith -received news of Mi Guyer's. acceptance of our invitation to address
the Minuteman Freedom Committee here in Lexington on February 12th. The
expense of Mr Guyei 's trio i& being 'co% ae by the Committee
MINUTEMAN FREEDOM COMMITTEE
Of Lexington And Concord
MEETING February 12, 1961
SUBJECT
On proposal to invite to Lexington and Concord as guests during the April 19th
celebration, the 17 new United Nations delegates from Africa and Cyprus.
GUEST SPEAKER
Mr David Guyer, Advisor, International Organization Affairs from the U S.
mission to the U. N.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Dr Howard Smith, Chairman, Alan G Adams, Rev. Robert Bartlett,
R John Barbi:), Marc Carroll., Ernest Kitchen, Eleanor B Litchfield, Dean Nicholson,
Judge Pierre Northrup, Alden Ripley, Anthony Sperduto, Rev. Floyd Taylor, Paul
Yewell, and Dr. Edgar Tucker.,
NOTES FROM MR. GUYER'S BRIEFING ON THE AFRICAN NATIONS
1. Announces the U. S. State Department endorsement and support of the Lexington
Concord plan for inviting the new African U N. delegates for our PATRIOT'S DAY
celebration.
2 Reviews the previous travel experience of the delegates within the United States.
Mostly limited to New York City excepting for
:40 A week-end trip to a conference at Princeton 8 - 10 members
Entertainment at private homes in Westport, Connecticut
•
c President Eisenho-wer's invitation to the White House K last November
•
d. Jet trip to Pittsburgh - Dallas San Francisco ( 18 members )
e Jet trip to T. V A , Cape Canaveral - Puerto Rico 11 members
President Eisenhower expressed concern over lack of more U. S. travel
Gov G Mennen Williams is also very much interested in our type of endeavor
3 March 7th Opening session of U. N. General Assembly
a. Suggests holding up on sending invitations until mid March, to allow time
for them to get settled in New York.
b. Recommends sending invitations written in French, along with copy of
booklet on the history of PATRIOT'S DAY celebrations published by the
Lexington Celebrations Committee
c Of 34 possible guests, expects that 15 20 might accept, provided they
are not short stafted.
d. Expresses concern over possible inability at delegate& leaving New York
on April 19th in the event an emergency should arise at the U N.
e. Suggests we might consider inviting the African staffs from Washington, D.
f. Expresses opinion that delegates would be delighted with .."fl idea of getting
away from day'duties at the U. N , and (2 our plans for private and in-
formal family entertainment.
g. Anticipates no complications with regard to political leanings; most of the
17 nations are leaning pro-western.
h Offeis at least two of the following three advisors as official U. S U N.
mission escorts° David Guyer, Christopher Thorn, Mrs Carmel Marr
4 Most African delegates are French speaking, having attended the Sorbonne
and other French schools One delegate from Somalia is italian-spea.king.
a. Observes delegates iinproving in learning the English language.
Concurs with making contacts with African students in Boston area.
c. W 11 advise us on question of protocol in speech making, dining arrange-
ments, etc.
d: Will make personal contact with delegates and advise us on their specific
professions t.nd interests.
e. Will keep us informed on developments
5 Relates ol dist rbmg activities of a U. S anti-Christian Moslem brotherhood
group agitatmF, to sway to their fold the new African delegates Points to
more
successful effcrts being made by Carmel Marr in directing delegates to
v'ttro
desirable neo elements in New York.
PROPOSED IDEAS FOR ITINERARY
April 18th
Delega,:es met at a.rport by Lexington-Concord welcoming committee in late
afternoon.
Merniers split up in groups of two and driven to plivate homes in Lexington
an Concord for evening dinner and entertainment
3. L.rrangernenls for attending the Balls in Concord and Lexington together as
a group
April 19th
Attend ceremonies at Concord Bridge at 9:00 a in.
Visit historical landmarks :n Lexington, Concord, and perhaps other
surrounding towns.
3. Review afternoon parade in Lexington at 200 p,m
4 Attend sponsored dinner in their honor et Lexington High School After
dinner, speakers, etc
1'4
Leave by air for New York on night of 19th or early morning of ZOtn
PROPOSED IDEAS ON INVITED GUESTS
Gov Volpe has been contacted and has agreed to participate and attend dinrxer.
Proposal that Gov C. Mennen Willix;3:,rns might be available to atterd. He is
reported to have made a good impression on Africans, he has a good civil
rights record He will be touring Africa for the next five week.s.
PROPOSED IDEAS ON PULICITY
Proposal to issue news stoi y on this subject for next Lexington-Minuteroan
on Thursday, April 16th to announce the formation o, the Lexington Minute
ipan Committee '7,,ith plans for entertaining the U N African delegates on PATRIOT'S
DAY
PROPOSED IDEAS ON PROCEEDS or DINNER
170"e some worthy A.1" loan cause
a Medical supplies
Food. ,kpeihaps the Congo rebef plograrn)
Propose to hold up announcement for evening for dinner.,
(
February a, 1961,
Here in Lexington and Concord on each April 19th we commemorate
the anniversary of the first battle of the American Revolution. This year
on the 186th Anniversary a committee of townspeople is planning to invite
to Lexington. and Concord the United Nations delegates from the seventeen
new States admitted to the United Nations in 1960 to join with us in cele-
brating the winning of our independence.
Nrieily, the committee's present plans include a welcome of the
delegates 'when they arrive from New York on. the afternoon of April 18th,
entertainment f them. in private homes, and provision for their appearance
at the .Parrot 31 Day Balls both in Lexington and Concord. During the day
of the 19th thy will visit historic sites and participate in commemorative
exercises in ech town. In the evening they will attend a sponsored dinner
at the Lexington High School in honor of theLr newly won independence. The
proceeds of the dinner are to be donated to some worthy African cause.
The Comettee has already received pratifying support and encourage-
ment IflItjCi1r ormer Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge was consulted and his
enthusiastic revpchse gave ]mpetus to the plans. The Concord and Lexington
Celebrations Corlmlttees have endorsed the plrns and are cooperating in Lbs
arrangements, 'Ve eve received the endorsem,mt of our State Department.
Governor G. Mennen Williams, Assistant Secretary of State on African Affairs
adii who is now on a tour of Africa, hes expressed his whole-hearted interest,
7:kt is the opinion of the committee that he will endeavor to participate
in the program . Go nor John Volpe has accepted one of the Honorary chair-
manships of the committee and will participzte in the April 19th observance,
T1'e theme f this years celebration will be "LET FREEDOM RING".
_ the commit se feels that its plans should have the widest of pub-
Deity to insure inc success of this most orthwhile project. It will
greatly appreciate iny and all assistance that you and your organization are
able to give.
Sincerely,