Time-Honored Governor's Foot Guard Ceremony Held On Town Green

BRANFORD, CT —For more than a century, the time-honored tradition was held on the New Haven Green. Saturday, Powder House Day, it was held on the Branford Town Green. The 2nd Company Governors Foot Guard conducted the 246th observance of The Charter Grant to their 2nd Company.

Branford Veteran's Day Parade Committee chairman William 'Bill' O'Brien shared both the history and photographs from the ceremony.

"History recalls that on April 22, 1775 Benedict Arnold demanded the key to the the New Haven powder house. After hearing the news of the fighting in Lexington, Massachusetts, Arnold, as the commander of the 2nd Company Governors Foot Guard, called upon his men to go to Boston and aid in the fight. Assembled on the New Haven Green more than 60 members of the company agreed to go but they lacked adequate ammunition.

Arnold and his men called upon the city leaders, who were in session debating their response to the conflict, for supplies. They refused with General Wooster stating the need to wait for regular orders. Arnold demanded, and received, the key to to the towns powder house by threatening to order his men to break open the building and help themselves if they didn't have the key in five minutes. Once armed, the company began a three day march to Cambridge to join the fight against the British.

The 2nd Company Governors Foot Guard was chartered in 1775 and Powder House Day has been a yearly tradition in the Elm City since 1904. This year the event was moved to Branford. They are usually seen in their bright red regalia with their large fury head gear. With a new group of members recently joining 'The Foot Guard' the groups new uniforms were not delivered in time for this event. The group was in regular fatigues but still delivered a memorable rendition of the historic event.

The role of Captain Benedict Arnold was represented by Major John Garcia and the Mayor of New Haven was portrayed by Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove."