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| In Memory Marker Mt. Pleasamt Cemetery |
Port Byron was proud to honor one of its civil war heroes on Saturday July, 30th 2011. The In-Memory marker ceremony was a beautiful tribute to such a courageous young man, Capt. John William Lockwood of Company F, 111th NY Infantry.
I would like to thank Senator Michael F Nozzolio and especially the office of Senator Charles Schumer for their assistance in working with the veterans administration on our behalf. I was pleased to sponsor this project with purchasing the needed documents to enable our Captain to receive this marker.
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| Daughters of Union Veterans Tokens of Remembrance |
The Julia Hibbard Tent #71 of Bridgewater, Oneida County, NY conducted an inspiring dedication service. Deposited at the grave in this ceremony were tokens of affection, the wreath of evergreen symbolizes undying love for the comrades of war, the single rose signifies purity and the wreath of grapevine represents a symbol for victory.
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| Photo by Christopher Barclay |
His headstone was draped with uniform coat, canteen and haversack, as well as a musket while a guard in full uniform stood watch.
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| Flag raising in honor of all service men and woman |
Senator Nozzolio provided a special flag for the occassion. Two veterans in attendance volunteered to perform the flag raising, on the left is Bradley Osborne-PCC of Oneonta, NY, a member of the Homer Searles Camp #114 SUVCW of Bridgewater, NY and a member of the Clark Heck American Legion Post #568 of Weedsport. It was a wonderful site when these two gentlemen saluted the flag and then shook hands. Afterwards State DAR Regent Denise Doring Van Buren lead everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
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| Photo by Christopher Barclay |
The flag soars above the Lockwood Post GAR monument that was dedicated in 1893 by the Lockwood Post GAR #175 and members of the Port Byron community. It is one of the most historic locations at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. It was dedicated with great fanfare, drawing 20 GAR posts, some 200 veterans, the Port Byron Fire Department, school children.thousand of guests as well as General William H. Seward of the 9th Heavy Artillety, son of President Abraham Lincoln's first Secretary of State.
To fully appreciate the diversity of patriatism in our community, I would like to share some history on the soldiers that are interred around the Lockwood GAR soldier's monument:
At each corner of this plot, the GAR Monument has two soldiers of WWII, being Thomas Lynch Lusk and Raymond L. France.
Please visit the State DAR Regent's public photo album for additional photos taken at this event.
Thank you NYS DAR Regent Denise Doring Van Buren and her husband Christopher Barclay for the wonderful photos. Our special day could not have been possible without the support from the Village of Port Byron and the Town of Mentz.
We appreciated the efforts of all of our participants; we gave a meaningful service to our Captain.
