Light rain sprinkled a group of 26 hardy souls who marched shoulder to shoulder from Needham’s Townsend Green toward Arlington Saturday, retracing the path that more than 200 Needham combatants took in 1775.
Jackie Anderson Yee, who grew up in Needham and now lives in Arlington, called the march symbolic. “That’s my life’s journey,” she said, describing how the militia’s route followed the path from her childhood home to where she lives now.
Kevin Keane, who is on the board of the Needham History Center & Museum and organized the event, said the march honors the role Needham residents played in the battle of Lexington, Concord and Arlington. Three Needham citizens died and two were injured in the battle.
Katherine Herer joined the march for the third year. She said the tradition helps her connect with the community and learn more about its history. “To be able to sort of connect that big event with the local community, I think, is a really nice way to understand [it],” she said.
The march began at the historical landmark on the small green at the corner of Nehoiden Street and Central Avenue where the Needham militia gathered 251 years ago. Before setting out, Gloria Greis, executive director of the history center, described the militia’s efforts and their contributions to the battle.
“In 1775, these guys walked the same block along the same route, and they did it without high-tech shoes and moisture-wicking fabrics,” said Greis. “They did it carrying guns, poorly trained in using them, and knowing they were going to face the most powerful army in the world, and they went anyway.”
Keane began walking the path of the Needham militia seven years ago with a small group of friends. The walk to Arlington became an official event six years ago in partnership with the history center. Last year, about 100 people took part.
“The walk is interesting. The history is interesting. And you experience something differently when you’re walking through it,” Keane said. “Even when we were walking today, you see everything differently when you’re not in a car.”
Keane guided participants through what the militia experienced. Herer recalled arriving in Watertown and climbing up Common Street as the highlight of the walk.
“This is the moment where the militia would see the battle happening and you can look back at where you came from,” Herer said. “One, it’s an accomplishment because we walked up a giant hill, but two, just being able to sort of see and understand the history a little bit better.”
The march concluded at the Jason Russell House in Arlington, the site of the day’s deadliest fighting. The group shared sandwiches on the lawn outside the historical site. More than half of the day’s casualties fell at the Russell House, according to Keane. He called the annual tradition a way to commemorate Needham’s role in a central day in American history, as well as a healthy dose of hometown pride.
“As you read the story of how many things were happening in such a fascinating time in history and that we played such a really interesting and active part. So, it’s a little pride,” he said. “You know, no matter where you call home, understanding what it is makes it much more meaningful.”