Olive Branch Cemetery

When the sound of the Musket Salute fired by Compatriots Shaun Smith and Gregg Ballman and ordered by Color Guard Commander Brad Jarard, echoed through the bird sanctuary behind the Olive Branch Cemetery on Blue Rock Road in Colerain Township the first of two Patriot’s Day ceremonies for 2017 were completed. The grey granite SAR grave marker for Revolutionary War Patriot Henry Loar had been dedicated with a proper ceremony at 11:00 AM:

• Invocation/Introduction ~ Emcee Michael Gunn
• Presentation of Colors ~ Nolan Carson Color Guard, Commander Brad Jarard
• Drummer ~ Connor Smith
• Pledge to the SAR ~ Gary Duffield
• Unveiling and Dedication of the Marker, Michael Gunn and Brad Jarard
• Presentation of Wreath by Jack Bredenfoerder Cincinnati Chapter President
• Flintlock Salute ~ Color Guard; Gregg Ballman and Shaun Smith
• SAR Recessional ~ Michael Blum
• Retiring the Colors ~ Nolan Carson Color Guard
• Benediction ~ Chaplain Ken Carpenter

We then carefully retreated from the Cemetery down “Devil’s Curve” on Blue Rock Rd. to the Bower’s driveway where they allowed us to park in order to stay off the dangerous roadway. Now, off to the Dunlap Cemetery on Miami-River Road in northern Colerain Township for the second part of our 2017 Patriot’s Day Ceremony.

Dunlap Cemetery

Upon arriving at the unmarked gravel drive, Gregg Ballman placed a sign “Dunlap Cemetery” so those members of the community who chose to come to our second ceremony would know where to turn, as the original sign destroyed months ago had yet been replaced, but cardboard was better than no sign! Now, to prepare the Cemetery for honoring all five of the Revolutionary Patriots to be honored today and cover the new marker here for Enoch Danford.

12:30 PM was approaching and the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard was forming up for their march to post four flags under the direction of Commander Brad Jarard at the request of Emcee Michael Gunn. The Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) program begins:

• Background for this CCSAR event
• Presentation of Colors ~ Nolan Carson Mem. Color Guard, Commander Brad Jarard
• Drummer ~ Connor Smith
• Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag ~ Colerain Twp. Historical Society, Edna Cofield
• Pledge to the SAR ~ Gary Duffield
• Invocation/Introduction ~ Emcee Michael Gunn
• Welcome and Introduction of Descendants, Guests, and Presenters
  Colerain Township Trustees: Hon. Jeff Ritter and Hon. Mike Inderhees
  Special Greetings: Colerain Twp. Trustee: Mike Inderhees

Unveiling and Dedication of the Patriot Markers by Chuck Rogers and Gary Duffield

• Henry Loar – (1758-1820) with the 3rd Maryland Regiment
• Enoch Danford – (Unk) with the 7th Massachusetts Regiment
• Abner Johnson – (1759-1832) N.J. unit Wagonmaster
• Major Jonathan Cilley (1763-1807) 1 st N. H. Regiment
• Issacher Bevis –(1740-1803) Pennsylvania Militia

Emcee – We, the members of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution reveal and dedicate this marked Memorial to the glory of God and in the recognition of the memory of these 5 Patriots of the American Revolution.

Presentation of Wreaths:
With comments by John Bredenfoerder, Cincinnati Chapter SAR President

For Highlanders Chapter SAR, Ken Carpenter

Flintlock Salute ~ Color Guard; Gregg Ballman, Shaun Smith, and George Stewart

Amazing Grace ~ Gerry Kelly Fritsch, on the Bagpipes.
SAR Recessional ~ Michael Blum
Retiring the Colors ~ Nolan Carson Color Guard
Benediction ~ Ken Carpenter
Taps ~ Peter Sturdevant, Sons of Union Veterans

Our Pledge: We the descendants of the heroes of the American Revolution who, by their sacrifices, established the United States of America, reaffirm our faith in the principles of liberty and our Constitutional Republic, and solemnly pledge ourselves to defend them against every foe. Until we meet again, let us remember our obligations to our forefathers, who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an independent Supreme Court, and a Nation of Free Men.

To the 25 people who attended, thank you for helping us honor our Revolutionary War Patriot ancestors, and until next Patriot’s Day, God speed!