21 Members of the Lexington Minute Men Installed to Various Positions in the Group, Including Newly Sworn-in Captain Commanding Dave Gipson
A gorget was placed around the neck of Dave Gipson as he was installed as the Captain Commanding of the Lexington Minute Men during the organization’s Change of Command ceremony held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo Courtesy Lexington Minute Men)
LEXINGTON — Members of the Lexington Minute Men gathered on the Lexington Battle Green, holding flags and muskets, to recognize a change in leadership and their continued commitment to keep Revolutionary War history alive in the hearts of the American people.
The Lexington Minute Men held a Change of Command Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 3, formally installing a new slate of officers and welcoming Dave Gipson as the organization’s new Captain Commanding.
The Change of Command Ceremony, held every two years, formally recognizes the new administration that will lead the Lexington Minute Men.
Gipson was elected Captain Commanding during the organization’s annual meeting on June 18, 2026. He succeeded the Past Captain Commanding (PCC) Steve Cole, who served as the Captain for the prior two years.
“Dave has held the position of Treasurer under PCC David Kemper, doing his best to balance our budget and put other fiscal controls in place for the company,” said current Chief of Staff and PCC Jamie Lee, who served as Master of Ceremonies for Saturday’s event. PCC Lee added that “Dave also served as the Musket Lieutenant during his administration, running drills and making me look good as Captain.”
PCC Lee said Gipson later served as Executive Officer under PCC Cole, supporting the Captain during the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and numerous other 250th-anniversary events.
During the ceremony, Gipson was formally installed as Captain Commanding by PCC Jamie Lee and PCC Jim Roberts. Lee and Roberts placed a symbolic gorget around Gipson’s neck as he assumed command. Gipson and several other newly installed officers were also presented with swords, which they sheathed upon assuming office.
Following the installation, the Lexington Minute Men fired their muskets in tribute to Gipson. Members also shouted “Huzzah!” in unison to celebrate the new Captain Commanding.
The ceremony formally installed a total of 21 members into various elected and appointed leadership positions within the Lexington Minute Men. The new leadership includes First Lieutenant and Executive Officer John Klesaris; Second Lieutenant of Musick Sherry Madden; Second Lieutenant of Muskets Todd Fisher; First Sergeant James Doucette; Clerk Sergeant Steve Delity; Treasurer Sergeant Ric Rosenhagen; Directors at Large Rev. Christopher Haydon and Rasheed Walters; Chief of Staff PCC James Lee; Chaplains Rev. Christopher Haydon and PCC Rev. Dr. David S. Kemper; Judge Advocate General Alfred Rubega; Second Lieutenant Adjutant PCC Steve Conners; Historian Alexander R. Cain; Head Civilian Interpreter Sarah Donovan; Armorer Sergeant Ryan Conners; Archivist PCC James D. Roberts; Color Sergeant Aaron Gendreau-Visco; Musick Sergeant Tyler Mortenson; Commissary Sergeant Justin Liu; Surgeon Samuel A. Forman, MD; and Captain Commanding Dave Gipson.
“I want to congratulate each of our newly installed officers and appointees and thank them for stepping forward to serve the Lexington Minute Men,” Gipson said. “Every position plays an important role in helping us carry out our mission, and I’m grateful for the time, talent and commitment each of these members is willing to give. I look forward to working alongside them as we preserve Lexington’s history and share its stories with future generations.”
During the ceremony, the newly appointed commanding officers conducted an inspection of the company’s regular rank-and-file members. The officers walked in formation and passed before the assembled privates.
Gipson then gave a speech about the responsibility the group has for preserving the memory of the men and women of Lexington who lived through the events of April 19, 1775.
“We’re here because Lexington remembers. Because Lexington remembers, America remembers,” Gipson said. “The ground on which we stand is not simply historic ground. It’s ground where ordinary people were called upon to make an extraordinary choice.”
Gipson said the Lexington Minute Men have a responsibility to make sure the people of 1775 remain more than names in history books.
“Our duty is to ensure that the men and women of Lexington remain more than statues, more than portraits, and more than words on a page,” Gipson said. “We must keep their memory alive.”
He also spoke about his commitment to the organization as its new Captain Commanding.
“I will strive to lead the organization with respect for its history, confidence in the future, and gratitude and respect for every person who contributes to its mission,” Gipson said.
Saturday’s celebration continued with a dinner at the Simon W. Robinson Masonic Lodge. Gipson was honored with a toast and another “Huzzah!” from members.
The Lexington Minute Men are a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to commemorating the actions of the men and women of Lexington on April 19, 1775. The organization promotes living history through reenactments, drills and other events.
Gipson said the organization has an active future ahead. Several 250th-anniversary commemorations of significant Revolutionary War events remain on the calendar during his two-year term.
“I’m excited and honored,” Gipson said after the ceremony. “It’s going to be a great couple of years. We have a lot of 250th anniversaries coming up for significant events that happened in the American Revolutionary War. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it.”
For more information about upcoming reenactments and how to join the Lexington Minute Men, go to lexingtonminutemen.com.
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Members of the Lexington Minute Men posed for a group photo outside Buckman Tavern following the formal installation of the organization’s new slate of officers. (Photo Courtesy Lexington Minute Men)
Newly installed Captain Commanding Dave Gipson drank from a pewter tankard during the reception for the Change of Command Ceremony held at the Simon W. Robinson Masonic Lodge on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo Courtesy Lexington Minute Men)
Members of the Lexington Minute Men gathered for a dinner at the Simon W. Robinson Masonic Lodge following the Change of Command Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo Courtesy Lexington Minute Men)
Members of the Lexington Minute Men gave a toast to newly installed Captain Commanding Dave Gipson during a dinner celebrating the Lexington Minute Men’s Change of Command Ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Lexington Minute Men)
Members of the Lexington Minute Men celebrated at the Simon W. Robinson Masonic Lodge following the Change of Command Ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Lexington Minute Men)
Members of the Lexington Minute Men celebrated the group’s new administration during a dinner at the Simon W. Robinson Masonic Lodge following the Change of Command Ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Lexington Minute Men)
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