Repro cannon will be exhibited and fired

The War of Independence will meet the 21st century this month. Jim Stinson, a RevolutionaryWar re-enactor, will educate onlookers as he demonstrates the procedure to load and fire a cannon on June 24 at the monthly meeting of the Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological and Volunteer Organization (BRAVO).

BRAVO meets at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Old Scots Hall, Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Tennent Road, Manalapan.

Stinson will bring a full-scale reproduction three-pounder cannon, typical of a number of the cannons that were used by both sides at the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778.

The battle was fought in and around the area of what is now Route 522 ("The Battle of Monmouth Road") in Manalapan and Freehold Township.

Stinson will explain how the cannon is used and what ordnance it can fire, demonstrate how fast it is loaded (with blanks) and actually fire it.

BRAVO, a nonprofit volunteer group, primarily assists the state in restoring state-owned and state-operated historic military sites.

Currently, BRAVO is conducting several archaeological surveys at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Valley Forge, Princeton Battlefield State Park and West Point, among other sites.

The organization's monthly meetings are open to the public.

For further information about BRAVO and its regular speakers, send an email to bravo_digs@att.net or call 732-780-1091 (evenings).