Remembering the country’s first fallen soldiers at Fort Laurens.

  • By Curtis Robert Tyree
  • July 4, 2011
  • 380
                        
Summary: The annual celebration of our independence was commemorated at Fort Laurens in Bolivar; Ohio’s only Civil War Fort. Article: On July 4 we, as a country, came together to remember our country’s fight against the British crown for freedom and independence, and to remember our nation’s first fallen heroes along with all those who would follow in various battles and conflicts. When it comes to remembering our nation’s battle for independence Tuscarawas County has one thing that sets it apart from the other 87 counties in Ohio; Bolivar is home to Fort Laurens, Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort. Here, in Tuscarawas County, served men who dared fight for freedom, and it was here where some of our country’s first fallen heroes fell. On Monday July 4 a ceremony was held to commemorate the Revolutionary War and remember those who died here fighting for our country at Fort Laurens. “We must ask ourselves, would those 21 people who perished here at Fort Laurens be proud of us, of what our country has become over these last centuries? I’m not here to answer that question for you, I’m here to ask it; it’s your job to answer it,” said Dee Grossman, keynote speaker at the Fort Laurens July 4 ceremony, and executive director of the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Would they lay down their lives again for us?” “We must also ask ourselves, what is the American dream? Did it start with those who fought securing our freedoms? What were the dreams of those who marched from Fort Pitt, in the snow, to come here? We come here every year to remember the sacrifices made here not by just those who died, but by those who suffered here as well, starving to the point of cooking their moccasins just to survive. It’s our goal that their sacrifices will never be forgotten, we hope to accomplish that by reconstructing Fort Laurens, bringing it back to life.” Roughly 30 people turned out for the small ceremony that took place by the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot. Members of the community took part in the ceremony, including Ron Barkett of Dover singing the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. Bolivar Mayor Becky Hubble presented the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot, Kyle and Corey Swinderman performed Taps and Blanche Tyree of St. James Lutheran Church presented both the invocation and benediction. The Fort Laurens American Legions Post provided the color guard for the ceremony with members of the Northwest Division of the Brigade of the American Revolution providing the gun salute. “It was a great event and I can’t thank enough those who came and helped make it happen,” said Tammi Mackey, Site Director at Fort Laurens. “Along with the ceremony, we had the museum open for free of charge for visitors to go and learn more about the history of the fort and why it is so important to not only local history but that of the Revolutionary War; Tuscarawas County has a great American historical site at Fort Laurens. Being able to commemorate the fourth of July at a Revolutionary War site was a great opportunity, and not having to travel far to do so makes it even better.”


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