A Revolutionary War grave marking ceremony was held at Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe by the Arthur St. Clair Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) to honor patriots who fought for American independence. Pictured are Shawn A. Cox (left), who served as master of ceremonies, and Robert E. Grim, who was the speaker for the event, and chapter president Dr. Richard Shellenberger.
Submitted photos
Shawn Cox, a past president of the Ohio Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), salutes as Stephanie Christman, a descendant of Patriot Christian Van Gundy, places a wreath at his memorial marker.
Dr. Richard Shellenberger, president of the Arthur St. Clair Chapter Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), salutes the five patriots being honored after presenting a floral wreath.
CHILLICOTHE — As we prepare to celebrate American Independence Day, the Arthur St. Clair Chapter Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) conducted a grave marking ceremony at Patriots Square in Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe honoring five patriots of the American Revolutionary War. Over 300 veterans of that war are buried in Ross County.
Shawn A. Cox, a local resident, served as master of ceremonies for the event and Robert E. Grim, a retired Miami Trace High School American history teacher, was the principal speaker. Grim spoke about General George Washington’s siege of Boston that resulted in the British surrendering the city to the patriots.
Both Grim and Cox are past presidents of the Arthur St. Clair Chapter SAR. Cox is also a past president of the Ohio Society of the SAR. Members of the SAR are descendants of Revolutionary War Patriots. Stephanie Christman, a descendant of Patriot Christian van Gundy participated in the ceremony by placing a wreath at his memorial marker. Van Gundy served as a sergeant in the Northumberland County, Pa. Militia.
The chapter president, Dr. Richard Shellenberger, PhD, welcomed the guest and placed a wreath for the chapter during the wreath laying part of the ceremony. Seventeen organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), presented wreaths.
Steve Kaplan, president of the Ohio Society SAR, and Steve Hinson, vice president general, Central District SAR and Terressa Reep, Nathaniel Massie Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), brought greetings and commended the SAR for honoring the Revolutionary War Patriots and placed wreaths during the wreath laying part of the ceremony.
Chapter treasurer and past president Dr. Michael Geron, M.D., gave a biographical sketch of the five patriots being honored: Nicholas Siprill; Francis Costigan; Richard Hardin; Christian Van Gundy and Abraham Thompson.
The Ohio SAR Color Guard, under the command of Bob Hill, fired a musket salute. Both Cox and Grim are members of the Color Guard as well as Tony Robinson, a chapter past president, who serves as chapter chaplain. He gave both the invocation and benediction. Steve Hinson, vice president general, Central District SAR, played Taps.
