WILLIAMSTOWN - Those who served the first cause of American freedom were honored Sunday near Williamstown.
Around 30 people attended a ceremony held by the Blennerhassett Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution at Burnt Hill Cemetery to honor three men who served in the American Revolutionary War and ended up spending the remainder of their lives in Wood County as well as all of those who have served the cause of American freedom over the years.
"Welcome one and all to this occasion that is to offer a tribute to all heroes of the American Revolutionary War of 1776 and especially to honor the three patriots resting here who gave service in the war of 1776," said Dina Braniff, Blennerhassett Chapter DAR Regent. "Those men are Private James B. Athey, Private Thomas Douglass and John Gard."
The ceremony Sunday was to honor the men as well as all of the Revolutionary War patriots, Braniff said.
"That is what Memorial Day is for, to honor those who have served to protect the freedoms we all cherish and hold dear today," she said.
Chapter member Christine Brookover was doing research on the family lines of their membership and discovered those men were buried at Burnt Hill Cemetery. It was decided to do a special ceremony to honor these men.
"All three are Wood County residents that fought in the Revolutionary War," Braniff said.
The Captain James Neal Chapter Sons of the American Revolution acted as the color guard at Sunday's ceremony. Representatives of the DAR laid a wreath at each man's grave. Those gathered recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "The Star Spangled Banner." Joe Quick played the bagpipes and members of Carlin's Battery D did a cannon salute.
"The ceremonial program here is a patriotic endeavor to perpetuate the spirit of valor and courage shown by the patriots of 1776 and that freedom might prevail throughout the land," Braniff said. "Persons who might pass this way may be reminded to take pride in the heritage of their country by recalling the era of the birth of our nation when men and women suffered and died that freedom bells might proclaim liberty throughout the nation."
Jeff Cline, president of the Captain James Neal Chapter SAR, and member Bob Fish detailed the service of each man, compiled by Brookover.
Athey was born in 1753 and died in 1825. He served in Captain Stephen Ashley's Company and Col. James Wood's Company as part of the 12th Virginia Regiment in the Revolutionary War.
Douglass, of Harrison County, died in 1813. He served in Posey's Company as part of the 5th Virginia Regiment.
Gard was part of the New Jersey Militia serving in Captain Job Brookfield's Brigade of the Continental Team for one year in 1778 in New Jersey.
"We honor these distinguished patriots who epitomize our responsibility to our veterans," Fish said. "We must never forget."
State DAR Regent Charla Nutter said it is important to remember all of those who fought for American freedoms.
"If we don't take the time to remember our patriots, who is going to remember us?" she asked. "We cannot forget what Memorial Day is all about."
No matter when the battles were fought, Braniff said it is important for everyone to remember.
"I think we need to pass it on to others, how important it is, to know the sacrifices that were made and the sacrifices that are still being made today in Iraq and Afghanistan," she said. "Throughout history, our country has made great sacrifices for our public to have the freedoms they have."
