Cincinnati Chapter SAR

The Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution participated in a chapter Color Guard Patriot Grave Marking event that will be held on Venice Cemetery, 4213 Layhigh Road, Fairfield OH 45014, at 1 pm on Sat. May 9th.

The ceremony honored all patriots buried in Butler County, especially the four buried in Venice Cemetery (and including one who survived the Lochry Massacre in 1781).

Granite Monument to fallen Revolutionary War Patriots

Brad Jarard speaks about history of the Revolutionary War to the assembled crowd.

The event got much coverage with an estimated 300 visitors, SAR, DAR participants present.  Yes, three-hundred visitors and members.

Great Turnout of the Public for this event!

The graves of many Revolutionary War soldiers who fought to win the country’s independence have gone unmarked or been lost.  Our organization goal is to recognize all Revolutionary War Patriots buried in our area.

Story Highlights: History has not been kind to the graves of the soldiers of the American Revolution. Untold veterans who fought for this country’s independence lie in unmarked graves. Some have been lost entirely. But not in Ross Township where a few of these veterans secured land in the early 1800’s and raised their children in land where they crossed with their Captors after the Massacre on the Ohio River near the mouth of the Great Miami River in 1782.

There were multiple organizations present, many published photos on their social media pages.  A few are captured below:

This event became front-page news on the Ross High School Band Website.  A photo of their fife and drum player with our Sons of the American Revolution – Color Guard celebrating the event.

https://www.rossbandofclass.com/

The following are a number of photos and press coverage for the event:

• Ross Twp Historical Society Facebook –
  • https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H67nvTqbf/
• Ross Twp. Police Dept. Facebook –
  • https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1U9tdHqUzR/
• Jennifer Gross State Representative Facebook –
  • https://www.facebook.com/JenniferOHRep/posts/pfbid0hUFj5spLZ14PyTNW8Fi2W5X9e8czVfs1LcborFQ7kVTpKxKoQYZkuHZRdsDb7Yz1l
• Michael Ryan for Butler County Commissioner Facebook
  • https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CsuyVx6RA/
•  Gregg Burnett Photography Facebook
  •  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BC3U8doa9/

Possibly aside from national events at a battlefield site, with all the elements, it was the largest and best grave marking and monument dedication event our chapter has been involved with.  There was a tremendous local and public attendance and participation, and the most descendants present.

Mike Gunn of the Cincinnati Chapter of the SAR was the Emcee for the event.

Brad Jarard of the Cincinnati Chapter of the SAR gave a historical presentation which the crowd provided much enthusiasm.

Highlanders SAR President Gary Duffield shows respect to fallen Patriots

It was gratifying so see the newly acquired cannon fired in public for the first time after eight months of repair, restoration, procurement of supplies and material needed, testing, training, and acquisition of insurance.

A video of the cannon firing is below:

Included is a copy of the program as it existed on the day of the event and a copy of the Letter of Recognition from the Ohio General Assembly given to the Cincinnati Chapter by Representative Jennifer Gross of House District 45.

The event was highlighted by cannon firing, timed in sequence by a helicopter flyover.  Pretty awesome!

Our Color Guard did a musket salute and performed admirably.

Gregg Ballman performed a remembrance for those heroes who are Missing In Action.  This is a very moving experience.  A video is below:

Muskets at rest!

There were many ceremonial wreaths placed at the monument:

This was a terrific event with outstanding participation by the SAR, DAR and many community leaders, descendants of these honored patriots.  The outpouring of support by the public was an awesome contribution for this event.

Until next year!

Huzzah!!

Honoring America’s Original Patriots

Cincinnati SAR & DAR Announce the Revolutionary War Patriots Grave Marking at Venice Cemetery in Ross Township, Butler County OH at 1:00PM on Saturday May 9th.

Mission will be to remember and honor Revolutionary War Veterans buried in Butler County, OH in Venice Cemetery.  This event is sponsored by the Ross Township Historical Society.

GPS location is: [39.1086700 -84.5182850]

The graves of many Revolutionary War soldiers who fought to win the country’s independence have gone unmarked or been lost.

Story Highlights: History has not been kind to the graves of the soldiers of the American Revolution. Untold veterans who fought for this country’s independence lie in unmarked graves. Some have been lost entirely. But not in Ross Township where a few of these veterans secured land in the early 1800’s and raised their children in land where they crossed with their Captors after the Massacre on the Ohio River near the mouth of the Great Miami River in 1782.

Join us there on May 9^th with the Ross Township folks!!!!

On April 18, 2026 the Cincinnati Chapter of SAR participated in a Ceremony to Honor five Revolutionary War Patriots on this Patriots Day 2026.

Group photo of SAR / DAR / CAR participants in the ceremony

The ceremony was held at Washington Park, Cincinnati at 1 PM in a light drizzle.

Cincinnati Chapter President addresses the attendees of the event.

Cincinnati Chapter members dressed in Revolutionary War attire included:

• Gregg Ballman,
• Doug Blake,
• Mike Blum,
• Ed Bonniwell,
• Jason Bourgeois,
• Bob Bowers,
• Nathan Chester,
• Gary Duffield,
• Scott Freeman,
• Stephen McClanahan,
• Mike Gunn,
• George Stewart

Cincinnati Chapter members in attendance included:

• Doug Carver (Bugler),
• Bruce Bennett – (Dual Member, Society of the Cincinnati Wreath)
• Kenny Burck,
• Larry Collins,
• Paul George,
• Franz Ott

The Patriots honored included:

• Stephens, Nicholas (1761-1838);
• Stone, Charles (1757-1848);
• Strong, Barnabas (1759-1821);
• Tibbits, Isaac (1759-1825) and
• Williams, John (1754-1828).

The program for the days activities is provided below:

Program 04_18_2026

Providing background music for the event was:

• Sycamore High School Student – Olivia Wallace led those in attendance in the Concord Hymn & the National Anthem.

Emcee Michael Gunn opened the event introducing CCSAR President Scott Freeman added the connection the Concord Hymn adds to this year’s Patriots Day.

Emcee Mike Gunn addresses the collected crowd.

CCSAR Chaplain Stephen McClanahan’s Invocation was followed by introduction of several of those in attendance; the five Patriots graves were dedicated, then wreaths laid in reverence.

Gregg Ballman shares the details of the five Patriots honored.

The Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard fired a Musket Salute which the audience in attendance was awed by the flash, boom followed by a cloud of smoke.

The Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard lines up for a ceremonial musket salute to honor the five Patriots honored today.

A ceremonial taps was played by CCSAR member Doug Carver.

Doug Carver plays taps.

Our Chaplain Stephen Mc Clanahan ended the event with a moving Benediction.

We were here to honor those five Patriots. 

We can only dream that 200 years from now that future SAR members could honor us.