I know a little about Jonas Parker because I've been to his grave. He is buried under a marble marker in Lexington Massachussetts, no more than a few dozen yards from where he died. While we're talking about heroes, let's talk about him.
In April 1775, Jonas Parker was suffering from a long-standing bout of tuberculosis. His younger cousin, John Parker- also suffering from tuberculosis, was commander of the Lexington militia, and when they mustered to arms to meet the Redcoats headed to Concord, he responded to the call. During the night, some came and went from the tavern, but when the advance guard of 100 or so Redcoats came within range of the Lexington Green, Jonas was among the number who lined up on the green.
According to the only eyewitness account, from a man from Woburn named Sylvanus Wood, only 38 men lined up on the green when the drums beat to order. When the Redcoats rounded the road and lined up opposite the Minutement, the general officer, who was actually a field grade officer, ordered the rebels to disburse. Captain John Parker ordered his men to disburse, but Jonas according to history threw his hat down on the ground in front of him, dropped his musket balls into it, and refused to leave.
At this point, accounts vary, but what we do know for sure is that Jonas Parker was killed by a bayonet. Several other Minutemen (eight others, including the Ensign who held the flag) were shot in the back, one on the porch of his own house which still stands at the north end of the green, but Parker was killed by a frontal assault of a bayonet to the chest. What courage must it take to stand in the face of that and hold your ground?
Not everyone was available that early morning to hearken to the battle call. Not everyone was willing to lay everything on the line and hold their ground. Not everyone has so little to lose as Jonas Parker, but all too frequently some of the ones with the most to lose do the least to help. Real men go to the field of battle where all the honor lies.
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