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Adair VFW joins statewide Liberty Tree Project By Mig Feuser / The Adair Progress A ceremonial planting at the VFW Post 6097 in Columbia brought together local officials, veterans, and community members to mark a milestone in the nation's history. Organized in cooperation with the Adair County Fiscal Court, the event commemorated the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with the planting of a Liberty Tree -- an enduring symbol of American independence and unity. Held at the VFW building on Green Hills Road, the ceremony coincided with an Arbor Day celebration. Representatives of the Kentucky Division of Forestry were on hand, offering free tree seedlings to attendees as part of an effort to encourage environmental stewardship alongside historical reflection. Deputy Judge Executive Bridget Compton said the Liberty Tree project immediately stood out as a meaningful opportunity for Adair County to participate in the national observance. "We thought it was a very worthy cause," she said, noting that the initiative aims to have all 120 Kentucky counties plant a Liberty Tree in recognition of the nation's semiquincentennial. Compton added that the VFW grounds were seen as the natural home for the tree. "There's no better fitting place for it," she said, thanking local veterans and forestry officials for their support in making the project possible. The program included the Pledge of Allegiance led by VFW Commander Russell Lunsford, who also provided historical context on the Liberty Tree tradition. "A Tree of Liberty stood near the Boston Common," Lunsford said, describing its role as a gathering place for colonial resistance. "A symbol of America's independence, growth, and strength, it also represented defiance against British rule." He explained that the Liberty Tree became closely tied to the Sons of Liberty and early protests against British taxation. "They met under the giant elm to protest the 1765 Stamp Act, declaring no taxation without representation," he said, tracing the origins of a movement that would lead to independence. Even after British forces cut down the original tree, Lunsford said the idea endured. "It did not curb colonial rebellion," he said, emphasizing how the symbol lived on through the Revolutionary War and beyond. Reflecting on the sacrifices of that era, Lunsford highlighted the leadership and determination of the nation's founders. "For over eight years, American patriots fought the British," he said, noting that thousands gave their lives in the struggle for independence. The tree planted in Columbia--a tulip poplar, Kentucky's state tree--was selected for its historical and local significance. Lunsford said he hopes it will serve as a lasting symbol for future generations. "What better place than the grounds of the Columbia VFW... to have a Liberty Tree?" he said, adding that it could one day stand beside a monument honoring local veterans. He also looked ahead to the future, describing the tree as a living legacy. "What better legacy to leave our children and grandchildren than a beautiful 50-year-old Liberty Tree," he said, envisioning it as a gathering place for future commemorations. Adair County Sheriff Gary Roy also addressed the crowd, expressing appreciation for veterans and their service. "I just want to thank you for your service," Roy said. "When I get up in the morning and go where I want to go, it's because of people like you that fought for my freedom." Roy emphasized that the freedoms Americans enjoy each day are tied directly to those sacrifices. "I'll be forever grateful," he said, adding that honoring veterans remains an important responsibility for the community. The ceremony concluded with a sense of shared purpose, blending history, service, and community spirit. As the Liberty Tree takes root on the VFW grounds, organizers hope it will stand for decades as a reminder of the nation's founding principles and the generations who have worked to preserve them. This story was posted on 2026-05-25 17:12:21
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