Remembering The Soldier Buried At Old Eagle Cemetery in Wayne

WAYNE, PA — The Jeptha Abbott Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Old Eagle School members on Saturday placed wreaths on the graves of ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War.

The Wayne ceremony was one of more than 3,400 ceremonies across the nation participating in across the country,
"Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear,” Ashley White, Old Eagle School President, said.

"Today, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
Before the Wreath-laying ceremony, Regent Teri Fischer announced that the DAR signed up as a partner with the Vietnam 50th Commemoration.

Fischer then recognized Lieutenant Michael Freeland of the U.S. Naval Reserve, who served in Vietnam with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.The lapel pin symbolizes the DAR's eagerness and our country's desire to thank and honor our Vietnam War Veterans.

History

In 1765, when Jacob Sharraden bought the land around the Strafford Train Station, the tradition was to include a school with a connecting church and graveyard.

The Old Eagle School Cemetery has nearly 200 marked and unmarked graves, including many early settlers and Revolutionary War soldiers.
Many soldiers who died during the Valley Forge Encampment of the American Army in 1777-78 were buried there.

Guest Speaker

Second Vice Regent Karen Franks Zetterberg introduced the speaker, Retired Rear Admiral Scott Clendenin. Scott served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 33 years.
In his last assignment, he worked at U.S. headquarters responsible for U.S. Coast Guard policy in seven operational mission areas -- emergency management and disaster response, defense operations, law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime security, counterterrorism, and marine environmental response.
Scott shared that Alexander Hamilton, the father of the U.S. Coast Guard, obtained the support of George Washington to build the nation's first Coast Guard cutter (a type of sailboat Hamilton selected to be the first ship). Today, the Coast Guard still uses this name to describe their boats.
Scott explained that the bravery shown by Hamilton is not unique to him but can be found in each of the men who lay in these graves and in the members of the DAR who strive to keep their memories alive.
The also ceremony featured a wreath-laying ceremony representing each branch of the service.

Those participating were:

• U.S. Air Force: Duane C. Parker, Jr., in honor of his father, Second Lieutenant Duane C. Parker, Sr., Phoenixville;
• U.S. Army: Lieutenant Colonel (R) Mark O'Neill, U.S. Army, Special Forces, Bryn Mawr;
• U.S. Coast Guard: Rear Admiral (R) Scott W. Clendenin, Alexandria, Virginia (formerly of Springfield;
• U.S.Marines: Lance Corporal (R) Anthony Fillipelli, Strafford;
• U.S. Merchant Marines: William Gresh, State President, PA Children of the American Revolution, in honor of his father, Staff Sergeant (R) Perry Gresh, Paoli;
• U.S. Navy: Lieutenant (R) (j.g.) Michael W. Freeland, U.S. Navy Reserve, Wynnewood;
• POW-MIA: Lieutenant (R) (j.g.) Thomas C. Deas, Jr., U.S. Navy, Surface Warfare Officer, Haverford, PA.

The following members of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution Color Guard presented the Colors: Jay Bowden, Wayne; Jon Fitzgerald, Thornton; Robert Flood, Montgomeryville; Kip Gerhart, Philadelphia; Perry Gresh, Paoli; Rob McNelly, Collegeville; and Leif Zetterberg, Bryn Mawr.
After the colors were retired, those who had purchased wreaths were placed them on a service member's grave and said a silent prayer for that member and his family.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
ThankReplyShare