(Photo by Amber Phipps) The wreaths from all of the respective historical societies were placed before Commodore Abraham Whipple’s burial site at Mound Cemetery.

A memorial service was held for the Revolutionary War Patriots of the Northwest Territory on Friday afternoon.

The Ohio Society Sons of the American Revolution Marietta Chapter hosted the event and also acknowledged the Lafayette 200 celebration.

On May 23, 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Marietta during his year-long tour beginning August 1824 after being invited back to the states by President James Monroe.

Friday’s event was put on by the Marietta Chapter to recognize and honor those veterans of the American Revolution and other battles in American history.

Nearly a hundred community members attended the memorial service and listened to speeches from a handful of speakers.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Guest speaker Lafayette was portrayed by Michael Halbert at the Memorial Service on Friday afternoon. He spoke about the history of Lafayette and how he came to visit Marietta on May 23, 1825.

Among many speakers at the service was a brief presentation from guest speaker Michael Halbert who portrayed Lafayette and spoke in character.

“I do offer to these people my grateful and affectionate acknowledgement,” he said. “I have held the names of the officers and soldiers who were born in this solemn place.”

At Mound Cemetery, located on the corner of Fifth and Scammel streets, Marietta Chapter SAR Historian Scott Britton was the keynote speaker for the memorial service.

Mound Cemetery is recognized for having a total of 39 historical patriots buried in the cemetery and 19 were officers. According to Britton, Mound Cemetery has the most officers buried collectively in all of the nation.

“They weren’t just lower company officers but four generals, a naval commodore, several colonels, lieutenant colonels and majors who served with Lafayette,” said Britton. “Here on the western frontier wilderness, they could start their lives again and build a better future for them and their families.”

(Photo by Amber Phipps) After the presentation from Scott Britton and the wreath presentation, the musket salute took place facing the mound in Mound Cemetery. The rifles were shot three times before the conclusion of the ceremony.

Britton went into detail about the history of Marietta and those who founded it in 1788. There was no Constitution yet during this time and the townspeople worked to pursue education and community.

Britton concluded his historical overview by stating that “it was an amazing group of men and women who settled here.”

Afterwards, 23 wreath presenters were announced in honor of their respective historical societies. The society chairmen and women were called one-by-one where they approached the wreaths and bowed or curtsied. Each societal wreath was pre-registered before the event on Friday.

The audience then turned towards the burial mound where the musket salute concluded the memorial service. The audience was encouraged to stay for the cemetery tour given by Britton and enjoy cake with refreshments.

The wreath presenters included:

(Photo by Amber Phipps) The combined Color Guard lined up for the introduction ceremony at Mound Cemetery on Friday afternoon.

-L. Steve Hinson: Chairman, Patriots Records Committee, National SAR

-Steven J. Kaplan: Education Committee (SAR University), National SAR

-Venie Hinson: Vice Chair, East Central Division, National DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations Committee

-Rose Marie Isgrigg: National Organizing Secretary, National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots

-Robert Hill: 2nd Vice President, Ohio Society SAR

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Marietta Chapter Historian Scott Britton gave the presentation for the service and told the history of Mound Cemetery and the generals who were buried there. Britton talked about the history of Marietta and its founders.

-Patty Kaplan: President, Ladies Auxiliary Ohio SAR

-Susan Leininger: Regent, Ohio Society DAR

-Richard Minshall: Chairman, South Central District, Ohio SAR

-Steven Conrad: SAR Representative, Columbus VA Voluntary Service Committee, Ohio SAR

-Harold T. Cox: President, West Virginia Society SAR

(Photo by Amber Phipps) There were 23 members representing historical committees who were present for the wreath ceremony portion of the Memorial Service. Each chair member from their respective society would bow or curtsy in front of the wreaths.

-Robert Fitzgerald: President, Marietta Chapter, Ohio SAR

-Scott Humphrey: Chairman, Patriot Graves Committee; Benjamin Franklin Chapter, Ohio SAR

-Richard Lee Emrick: President, Richard Montgmery Chapter, Ohio SAR

-Mark Tyler: President, Northeastern Ohio Chapter, Ohio SAR

-Kevin Driesback: President, Camp Charlotte Chapter, Ohio SAR

-Robert Hill: President, Hocking Valley Chapter, Ohio SAR

-Daniel Thomas: Captain James Neal Chapter, West Virginia SAR

-Patty Ullman: Regent, Marietta Chapter NSDAR

-Karen Kashary: Regent, David Hudson Chapter NSDAR

-Tahnee J. Andrew: Regent, Return Jonathan Meigs Chapter, NSDAR

-Tami Reeves: Regent Elect, Daniel Davisson Chapter, NSDAR

-Rick Hartinger: Pickaway County Historical Society