Williamsburg Chapter Honors Veterans and "Forgotten Patriots" at the Governor's Palace Revolutionary War Cemetery in Williamsburg on Veterans Day

11 Nov 2016                                           Williamsburg, VA

     The Williamsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) with the support of Colonial Williamsburg observed Veterans Day by conducting a Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Governor’s Palace Revolutionary War Cemetery.  The ceremony included Colors, Fife and Drum, National Anthems, Procession of Revolutionary War Flags, a Speaker, Bag Piper, Wreath Laying, and a Bugler.
     The ceremony honored all veterans past and present along with the 158 “Forgotten Patriots” (156 men and 2 women) buried in unmarked graves in the garden cemetery behind the Palace.  The Governor’s Palace was converted into a hospital by General George Washington prior to the siege at Yorktown (1781).  These graves also include skeletons of Loyalists, British 80th Regiment of Foote, Americans, and possibly French soldiers as well.
     This year, the SAR continued to emphasize the contributions of “Forgotten Patriots” during the Revolutionary War which includes women during the revolution and African Americans who fought for both the British and the Patriots…even though their freedom was not assured.
     Gowan Pamphlet, a free man and minister, portrayed by James Ingram, spoke about life as a slave and their contributions during the revolution.  Also, ladies from the Americale Franconia represented the French contributions during the Battle of Yorktown and a wreath for the 80th Regiment of Foote was placed, and a procession of Revolutionary War flags was featured by Boy Scouts of Troop 1932. 

Gowan Pamphlet, portrayed by James Ingram.

Fife and Drum

Color Guard

l to r: James Ingram, Williamsburg Chapter President Harley Stewart, Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow.