Fourth of July Celebration - Patriotic Speaker

The Bristol Fourth of July Celebration did not start with a parade or a fireworks display. Instead, it started with a simple patriotic exercise in 1785. Historical records tell us that Rev. Henry Wright gave the first oration. Although the Celebration has grown by leaps-and-bounds from its humble beginnings, the traditional Patriotic Exercises are held each year on the morning of the Parade. The person who will carry on this Tradition as the Patriotic Speaker is Rev. Daniel Barron Randall.

Rev. Daniel Barron Randall is the 26^th Senior Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Bristol, founded in 1680. The First Congregational Church is Bristol’s first and oldest faith community. Rev. Henry Wight, who began the Patriotic Exercises in 1785, and was the Patriotic Speaker for over 40 years, was also the Senior Pastor of the First Congregational Church. Rev. Randall is humbled and honored to be part of this living tradition begun by his predecessor and his own congregation 225 years ago.

Born and raised in the small farming town of Sheldon, Iowa, Rev. Randall (or Pastor Dan, as he prefers to be called) received his undergraduate degree (B.A.) from the University of Northern Iowa in speech and religion. He went on to study at Yale University where he received the Master of Religion and Master of Divinity degrees. While at Yale he was awarded the Senior Preaching Prize.

In 2001 Rev. Randall was awarded the Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grant for excellence in parish ministry. He has served in ministry for over 25 years.

Rev. Randall serves as a reserve chaplain in the United States Air Force. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Officer Training School and was named Top Graduate of his USAF Chaplain Training Institute class. As a reservist, Rev. Randall was called to active duty following September 11, 2001 and served in Operation Enduring Freedom overseas and in Operation Noble Eagle in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he has deployed to Europe on NATO missions and Central America for drug interdiction missions. He is authorized to wear the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Service Medal, the Chaplain Service Badge, the Armed Forces Parachutist (Airborne) Badge, and many other awards and decorations.

Rev. Randall has a deep commitment to ecumenical and interfaith relations. He and his wife, Anita, are active associate members of the Iona Community in Scotland. The Iona Community is an international community dedicated to building the common life, through working for social and political change, striving for the renewal of the church, and exploring new more inclusive approaches to worship based upon an integrated understanding of spirituality.

Rev. Randall is passionate about social justice issues, especially as they relate to those facing hunger and poverty. He, along with the Deacons of the First Congregational Church, founded the East Bay Food Pantry, which is now a separate 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission is to engage, educate and empower the East Bay in creating a hunger-free community.

In addition to his duties as Senior Pastor at First Congregational Church, Rev. Randall serves as the affiliate Protestant Chaplain at Roger Williams University.

Rev. Randall is happily married to Anita and they have three children, Molly, Claire and Gabriel. His hobbies and interests include playing the bagpipes and the guitar, writing music and poetry, hiking, bicycling, trout fishing, gardening and traveling to Scotland, his ancestral home.