Passing of the Sword: Dave Gipson Named New Captain Commanding of Lexington Minute Men

LEXINGTON —  Dave Gipson has been named the 82nd Captain Commanding of the Lexington Minute Men in the organization’s 337-year history.

For Gipson, a passion for history began long before he joined the company. He and his twin brother, Dan, used to watch the annual Battle of Lexington reenactment from the other side of the ropes as spectators during the early morning hours.

“I’ve always been interested in history, but there’s something undeniably special about Lexington and the fact that it was the place where our nation’s history really started,” Gipson said. “When you stand on the Lexington Battlegreen, you can feel the history behind it and understand that the ground you’re standing on is the same place where men once fought and died for our freedom.”

In 2017, Gipson and his brother decided to join the Lexington Minute Men, officially becoming members in 2018.

Now, with nearly nine years of experience with the company, Gipson has taken on the role of Captain Commanding.

“To be a part of the Lexington Minute Men is to commemorate the sacrifices and bravery of those who fought, as well as the families and communities impacted by that pivotal moment in our shared history. To put it simply, it is an absolute honor,” Gipson said. “Being the Captain Commanding during a time when we are honoring the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution only deepens that honor. I am privileged to be the one leading our company during this special time in our nation’s history.”

As Captain Commanding, Gipson plans to continue the fundraising and recruitment efforts spearheaded by his predecessor, Steve Cole. Over the past year, the Lexington Minute Men’s “Securing Our Legacy” capital campaign was a success, raising funds to make membership more affordable for new recruits.

During the first three months of Gipson’s captaincy, six new members are expected to join the ranks. The company is also actively seeking fife and drum players, as well as women interested in filling musician and civilian roles, respectively.

Gipson is also looking for ways to reduce the cost of colonial clothing, or “kit,” for both new and existing members. Having colonial clothing made by a tailor can be expensive, as most of the seams must be sewn by hand. Tailors also have limited availability and often face months-long backlogs, meaning it can take considerable time for new members to get fully outfitted.

To address the issue, Gipson plans to introduce workshops and sewing classes that would make tailoring an in-house project. The workshops will be open to all members, with instructors teaching participants how to make various elements of their kits.

Two workshops have already been scheduled for September: one focused on bounty coats and another on hunting shirts.

To supplement the workshops, Gipson also plans to introduce a monthly Sewing 101 class open to members. Instructors will be available to offer general sewing guidance or provide specific feedback on projects participants are working on.

“Apart from carrying the honor of preserving America’s history, being a part of the Lexington Minute Men is to share the joy and passion we all carry for history with the public,” Gipson said. “There is nothing like doing a reenactment in front of thousands of people and knowing that you are giving them a unique way to connect to history. Connecting with the public is what makes every experience fulfilling, and it’s important to me that we continue to keep that spirit alive.”