OHSSAR Color Guard members walk across Fifth Street towards Mound Cemetery on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

With rain and storms throughout Thursday morning, the Marietta Chapter Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution held their annual memorial service at Mound Cemetery indoors at St. Paul’s Church.

Although the rain caused a dip in attendance numbers from last year’s crowd of hundreds, there were some members of the community in attendance amongst the church’s wooden pews.

The memorial service recognized the Revolutionary War patriots of the Northwest Territory buried at Mound Cemetery. American Flags marked the graves of those who fought in the Revolution.

The event included remarks from MCSAR Vice President Jean Yost as well as OHSSAR First Vice President Robert Hill.

“This is the gateway to Ohio’s settlement directly because of the Revolution,” said Hill. “That’s the reason my family came here, and I discovered that when I first joined the SAR.”

OHSSAR Color Guard members walk through Mound Cemetery on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Hill spoke about his experience in SAR and the historical significance of Mound Cemetery.

Some patriots buried at the cemetery included General Rufus Putnam and Commodore Abraham Whipple, whose headstones stand tall against the wind and rain.

Keynote speakers included OHSDAR Regent Christina Nehring and an overview of historical figures presented by local historian Scott Britton.

Britton has been a resource for history in the area for over 25 years and spoke to the audience about historical figures who were part of the Ohio Land Company; General Moses Cleaveland, Colonel Alexander Hamilton, Ebenezer Frothingham, and more.

Following the presentation from Britton was the recognition of the memorial wreaths for each organization.

Members of the OHSSAR Color Guard fire muskets at Mound Cemetery on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

As the program continued indoors, the sky had begun to clear and the rain stopped which prompted Yost to say, “sometimes you have to wing it” and made the call to have the remainder of the ceremony across the street at Mound Cemetery.

As organization and community members made their way from the church to the cemetery, the combined OHSSAR Color Guard raised their muskets and fired for the musket salute. Although there was no tour of the cemetery this year, guests were encouraged to take a stroll through the area and explore the patriot headstones.

Afterwards, guests enjoyed a warm meal provided by volunteers at St. Paul’s Church.

2026 Wreath Presenters:

*Bob Hill, Ohio Society First Vice President & State Color Guard Commander on behalf of OHSSAR

OHSSAR First Vice President Robert Hill, left, speaks during the Marietta Chapter SAR and DAR memorial service at St. Paul's Church on Thursday. MCSAR First Vice President Jean Yost, right, listens. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

*Christina Nehring, Regent – Ohio Society NSDAR

*Donald Miller, OHSSAR South Central District Chairman

*Martin Brady – West Virginia Society – Color Guard Commander WVSSAR

*Dan Thomas, Member – Captain James Neal Chapter WVSSAR

*Alan Gummere, Member – Hocking Valley Chapter OHSSAR

The OHSSAR Color Guard walks through the St. Paul's Church pews during the Marietta Chapter SAR and DAR memorial service on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

*Janet Gummere, Historian – Elizebeth Sherman Reese Chapter OHSDAR

*Rich Minshall, President – Camp Charlotte Chapter OHSSAR

*Rick Hartinger – Pickaway County Historical Society

*James L. Cooper, President – Centennial Chapter OHSSAR

*Patty Ullman, Regent – Marietta Chapter OHSDAR

*Bobby Fitzgerald, President – Marietta Chapter OHSSAR

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com