The Allemaengel 250 Committee has completed its mission to honor Revolutionary War patriots buried in the region’s historic church cemeteries, while thanking the community for its strong support of the effort.

Formed late last year, the 12-member committee includes representatives from the Lynn-Heidelberg, Albany and Weisenberg-Lowhill historical societies. Its mission had two parts: to educate students and families about the colonial period and the Revolutionary War, and to pay tribute to local patriots who fought for American independence.

The educational portion of the mission was carried out during a well-attended April 11 program at Kempton Community Center, where attendees learned about life in the colonial era and the long struggle for freedom that led to independence for the 13 colonies.

The second phase — honoring Revolutionary War patriots from the committee’s five-township area — has now been completed at all nine Revolutionary-era churches in Lynn, Heidelberg, Albany, Weisenberg and Lowhill townships.

To mark the graves of known patriots, the committee first installed signs designed by local artist and committee member Jon Bond, noting that Revolutionary War patriots are buried in the cemeteries. It then identified individual graves with four-strand red, white and blue ribbons attached to grave markers or furling flags, setting them apart from other veteran graves.

Whenever possible, scouts and youth groups were invited to participate in the ribbon placements to connect younger generations with the burial grounds of the region’s Revolutionary War patriots. Committee members noted that although church, military and historical records indicate many more colonial-era patriots are buried locally, the exact locations of many graves have been lost over time.

Residents are encouraged to visit the cemeteries and reflect on the signs and decorated graves at Lowhill, Ebenezer, Jacob’s, Weisenberg, Ziegels, Heidelberg, Jerusalem Red, Friedens and New Bethel churches.

Ceremonies at the churches highlighted the sacrifices made by the men and families of the Revolutionary era. Speakers noted that many patriots first endured persecution in the Old World, survived dangerous Atlantic crossings, arrived as indentured servants and then built new lives in an unforgiving frontier before leaving their families to fight in the war for independence. The committee noted that 25,534 colonists died during the Revolutionary War in combat, from disease or as prisoners of war aboard British ships.

Each church ceremony had its own character. At Jerusalem Red Church, Gary Dotterer appeared in colonial dress and supplied props and patriotic bunting, joined by a young “Betsy Ross” carrying the flag she is credited with designing. At Heidelberg Church, sisters Emmalyn and Amelia Fink placed ribbons, with Emmalyn closing the ceremony by playing taps. Cadette Girl Scouts Troop 68 decorated patriot graves at Ziegels Church, while Ralie Kubat organized a youth group and veterans delegation for the ceremony at Weisenberg Church.

Scout Pack 588 led a ceremony at Ebenezer Church, previously reported in the June 18 Press. At Lowhill Church, Dale and Sheila Watt organized youth from the congregation to be the first group to perform the tribute. Youth from Jacob’s Church also took part in ribbon placement and salutes. At Friedens and New Bethel churches, members of the Albany Township Historical Society carried out the tribute.

At each ceremony, the name of every patriot was read aloud. Participants saluted or placed their hands over their hearts as ribbons were placed, then thanked each patriot for the service and sacrifice that helped secure the freedoms Americans have enjoyed for 250 years.

The committee also thanked Lori Nelson of Weisenberg Township, who volunteered to create the tribute ribbons for all nine churches.

Patriot graves identified. Page A5.