On Aug. 6, members of the Fayetteville-Owahgena Chapter NSDAR met at the American Legion Post 1448 in Oriskany to attend a “Welcome Tea” in honor of Merry Ann T. Wright, NSDAR Honorary President General. The tea was hosted by the Col. Marinus Willett-Mohawk Valley Chapter in which Mrs. Wright is a General for Life and 50-year member. The ladies were invited to wear period clothing.
After the tea, guests gathered at the Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site for the solemn commemoration ceremony honoring the 240th Anniversary of the Battle of Oriskany. Following the March of the Militia, the program consisted of musket and canon salute to the fallen with special guest speaker Merry Ann T. Wright. Seventeen DAR Chapters participated in placing a wreath at the base of the monument in recognition of the sacrifices that were made.
Under the command of Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer, one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War took place at the Battle of Oriskany. Mrs. Wright, Diane Graner and Sandy Berardi all have a Patriot ancestor who fought for American Independence on August 6, 1777.
