![\"NJLC](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/NJLC-grave-marking-opening-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe five Patriots honored in the July 24 ceremony, and the state in which their military or patriotic service was rendered, were:\u00a0John Axline (VA),\u00a0\u00a0Adam Housholder (MD),\u00a0Conrad Roller (VA), John Stautsenberger (PA),\u00a0Peter Philip Virtzs\/Wertz (MD).<\/p>\n
A patriotic hotbed<\/b><\/p>\n
The \u201cGerman Settlement,\u201d as the area around present-day Lovettsville was known, is described in local histories as \u201cintensely loyal\u201d to the Revolutionary cause.\u00a0Historian Eugene Scheel has written:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the Revolutionary War broke out, there was a divided home front in the Colonies. Where the population was primarily made up of British subjects, all did not support the cause of liberty. Many Englishmen went home, thousands fled to Canada, and others like the Quakers simply withdrew as much as possible and kept quiet. In contrast, there was little division of sympathy in The German Settlement. Almost every man of military age volunteered to fight on the side of the patriots, for they remembered the reasons for their ancestors having left the Rhine River Valley.\u201d<\/p>\n
The New Jerusalem cemetery has the largest known concentration of Revolutionary War Patriots (at leat 15) in this area. Others are buried in the old Reformed (St. James) cemetery, and the old Presbyterian graveyard. Still others are probably buried in family burial grounds. Additionally, many Revolutionary War veterans left this area for central Pennsylvania and Ohio.<\/p>\n
A well-attended, colorful ceremony<\/b><\/p>\n
The July 24 event was one of the largest grave-marking ceremonies in this area, and an official count showed that there were 118 persons in attendance. It was co-sponsored by the Fairfax Resolves Chapter of the Virginia SAR, and the Sgt. Lawrence Everhart Chapter of the Maryland SAR.<\/p>\n
The event was attended by 118 people. including at least 93 lineage society members from the SAR, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Children of the American Revolution (CAR), and other patriotic societies, including members of American Legion Post #1836.<\/p>\n
The ceremony feaured a 26-man Color Guard, which was divided into a 12-member Flag Unit which presented and retired the colors, and a 14-member Firelock Squad which delivered a Musket Salute. The Flag Unit carried not only the American flag, but state flags of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.<\/p>\n Lovettsville Mayor Nate Fontaine presented greetings on behalf of the Town of Lovettsville. In the absence of New Jerusalem\u2019s pastor Krista Vingelis, the invocation was delivered by Pastor Roland England, the long-time pastor of St. James United Church of Christ, who is now pastor at Community Christian Church at Neersville, in the Between-the-Hills area. Other local residents in the program were Michael Zapf, who presented a history of New Jerusalem Lutheran Church; Edward Spannaus, who presented a biography of Patriot Adam Housholder; and Richard Weaver (Taylorstown), who led the SAR Recessional.<\/p>\n The reading of the Patriot biographies was followed by three rousing \u201chuzzahs\u201d \u2013 as volunteers prepared to unveil the new granite grave markers. A fourth \u201chuzzah\u201d signaled the unveiling. After all joined in a hearty singing of \u201cGod Bless America,\u201d the presentation of wreaths began. Over two dozen wreaths were formally presented, from 15 SAR chapters and societies, nine DAR and two CAR chapters.<\/p>\n Then came the most-anticipated part of the ceremony, as the Firelock Squad moved into position, and a three-volley Musket Salute ensued. This was captured on a number of video which have been posted on the Internet, including a video<\/a> posted by the Loudoun Now<\/i> newspaper.<\/p>\n<\/a>