Boland-Kemp celebrate 80th family reunion

Food, faith, fun and family. That is what two families have celebrated for more than 80 years as they gather annually for their family reunion. No small feat in this day and time when everything is digital and fast paced, this group of close knit relatives slow down to enjoy each other's company every Memorial Day weekend. 

It all started with a brother and sister, Mansel Joseph Boland born July 10, 1901 and Anna Pearl Boland Kemp, born May 26th 1880, who wanted to just get the family together for Anna Pearl’s birthday. 

The Boland-Kemp cousins, many in their 80s now, recall some of the first reunions were held in a pasture at Uncle Jack and Aunt Jimmy’s near Fort Worth. Aunts, Uncles, brothers, sisters, and cousins talk about various places like Eastland, Throckmorton, and Fort Griffin also being sites where they gathered in the early years. And this birthday gathering turned into a family reunion that has lasted 80 years. 

This year marked the 60th year that the Boland-Kemp Reunion was held at Fort Belknap. What was once just a Sunday pot luck lunch has evolved into a Saturday night fish fry, camping out, guitar picking, barbecue bragging rights, and 42 playing - plus the Sunday potluck. 

A tradition that has not gone out of style is blessing the food. A prayer is always offered before the Sunday meal. Old fashion macaroni salad and vegetables right out of the garden top the list as prized sides. 

Ham, sausage, and barbecue is smoked all night by several volunteers. Homemade desserts line an entire table and are there for the taking. 

Right before Sunday’s potluck the crowd thanks all the cooks, recognizes who has traveled the furthest, who is the oldest and youngest, and honor those who lost their lives for our freedom. 

The history of Fort Belknap has seemed to resonate with these two families. The kiddos look forward each year to visiting the museum and having water gun fights. 

Phone service isn’t the best at the fort which makes just sitting in chairs and catching up easy to do. Every kid talks about their first memory of getting to “walk the wall,” a time honored tradition. 

This group has seen the times and the fort change over the years. Thanks to Jim and Amber Hammond, Fort Belknap is in the best shape it has been in years which has given the group hope that they will continue to gather here for many years to come.