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Michael B. Gunn, Ph.D.
Past President, Patriot Graves Chair CCSAR

On Sunday, November 12, 2017 in a small, but solemn ceremony at Wesleyan Ceremony the 5th Surgeon General of the United States of America’s Gravesite was marked with a special granite stone. That marking is a Maltese Cross of four arms and eight points, the top three have the letters SAR and the bottom the date 1775; in the center is the center medallion bears the figure of a minuteman surrounded by 13 stars. This emblem is based on the badges of the Military Order of Saint Louis, founded by King Louis XIV in 1693 to honor faithful military service, and the Legion of Honor, founded by Napoleon in 1803 to reward civil and military service.

The Emcee of the service was Col. Donald C. McGraw Jr., Retd., President of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; who introduced the ceremony as a three part event: 1 – To give honor this day on all those who served in the military of these United States of America to retain our Liberties and Freedoms gained by those Patriots of the Revolutionary War. 2 – To rededicate the Memorial to the 18 Revolutionary War Patriots honored on the Monument within the grounds of the Wesleyan Cemetery. 3 – To properly mark with the SAR Logo this Revolutionary War Patriot the grave of Patriot Richard Allison, a General of the Army of the USA.

Colonel McGraw used these words: “We are here today to mark the grave of Surgeon General Richard Allison, rededicate the granite Memorial that honors the 18 Revolutionary Patriots also buried in these hallowed grounds and bring Honor to all our Veterans who served this country. Richard Entered the army as a surgeon in 1777. During the American Revolutionary War he served as a surgeon’s mate in the Pennsylvania Line of the Continental Army. He was the senior American military physician in the Northwest Indian War, and became the surgeon general of General Anthony Wayne’s Legion when those troops were organized and defeated the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers.” The fifth Surgeon General of the USA.

The ceremony continued after posting of the Colors by the Nolan Carson memorial Color Guard, led by Turner Lee Wilkerson, Color Guard Commander; the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the USA, led by Michael Gunn Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) Patriot Graves Chairman; the unveiling of the Marker by Compatriot Gary Duffield; dedication of the marker by Compatriot Gunn with these words: “We, the members of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution dedicate this marked Memorial to the glory of God and in the recognition of the memory of these honorable Patriots of the American Revolution. Here we honor all those who have served these United States of America, risking their being to secure and safeguard our liberties and freedom.”

The names of the 18 Patriot Soldiers on the Revolutionary War Memorial in another location at the Wesleyan Cemetery were read by Compatriot Larry Collins, followed by a bell for each rang by Compatriot Connor Smith.

Emcee Don McGraw then announced the placing of four wreaths: for the OHSSAR, Pres. Donald C. McGraw; for CCSAR, John Bredenfoerder, Pres.; for the Germany Society by Thomas Hess ; for the Highlands Chap. SAR, Ken Carpenter, President.

Finally, Emcee McGraw requested Color Guard Commander Wilkerson to lead a three Volley Musket Salute along with George Stewart, Shaun Smith, Chuck Rogers and Bob Bowers. And finished with a recessional and a benediction, retiring the Colors in place.

A ceremony where no public dignitaries attended, but was a fine solemn service to all veterans of these United States of America and barely dampened by the rain.

Photographs by Gary Duffield and Christine Smith

Surgeon General Richard Allison’s Grave and Marker

Posting Colors

Ceremony

Wreath Laying

Flintlock Salute

Closing