NEWSLETTER
Ceremony Planned for September 7 at 12 Noon
Lake George, NY - The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York, whose contributions to commemorating the history of the region date back to a bestowing of the iconic Battle of Lake George (William Johnson-King Hendrick) sculpture at Lake George Battlefield Park in 1903, will dedicate a new historical plaque in the park on Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) at 12 noon.
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, if needed, for the 30–40-minute ceremony.
The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and Fort William Henry are joining the Society of Colonial Wars for the ceremony at the burial site in the park of four unknown combatants who were killed during the Battle of Lake George on September 8, 1755. The new plaque honors the deceased, “known only to God”, who were reinterred at the site in 1935 following the discovery of their remains during a local road construction project.
A series of brief presentations will provide the story behind the conflict on that day 271 years ago among British provincials—Americans fighting for England—French and Canadian soldiers, and Native Americans whose allegiances were split between the two rival countries. The ceremony concludes with the plaque unveiling, traditional Broken Arrow Ceremony and benediction by The Reverend Ian Bruce Montgomery, Society of Colonial Wars Chaplain General, and the Society’s past Governor General, Charles Neuhauser, followed with a salute by an Honor Guard from Fort William Henry.
J. Barclay Collins II, Governor of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York, offers his organization’s perspectives on the event: “The New York Society of Colonial Wars is devoted to education about the colonial period, and as part of that mission, to memorializing those brave individuals whose ideas and deeds formed the foundation for building our great nation. This plaque honors four individuals who, though unknown, gave their lives in that cause.”
Offering remarks during the ceremony on behalf of Fort William Henry will be that site’s Director of Historical Interpretation, Andrew Menzie. He states, “It is an honor to be invited to join the Lake George Battlefield Alliance in welcoming the Society of Colonial Wars as it commemorates the sacrifice of these four unknown heroes of the French and Indian War.”
John DiNuzzo, President of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance, adds, “The Alliance is very grateful to the Society of Colonial Wars for once again recognizing the importance of the Battle of Lake George in American history. By continuing to honor the four soldiers whose remains are left to our stewardship in Lake George Battlefield Park, we help to ensure that, while their names aren’t known, they are not forgotten.”
The Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center, located at 75 Fort George Road (basement level), is open on September 7 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
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About the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York: The Society of Colonial Wars was incorporated in New York State on 7 October 1892. The Society is a historical, educational, and patriotic non-profit, 501(c)3 organization whose purpose is to perpetuate the memory of the brave and hardy men who assisted in establishing colonies of America during the period from the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607, to the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775. The Society has placed many memorials at historical colonial sites and each year participates in patriotic observances. It also awards scholarships to high school and college students and presents an annual book award. There are approximately 500 members in the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York. For more information, visit: www.colonialwarsny.org.
About the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance: The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Lake George Region’s critical role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Through a cooperative agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Alliance operates the Battlefield Park Museum and Visitor Center in the Lake George Park Commission offices and sponsors programs and events throughout the
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year that educate the public about the site and its unique history. The Alliance is also a steward of the Battlefield Park’s iconic memorials, including the recently dedicated Repose of the Fallen reburial site honoring 44 Continental Army personnel who perished at Lake George in 1776, as well as three restored bronze sculptures depicting important moments in the region’s history. For more information, visit: www.lakegeorgebattlefield.org.