Tiny flames flickered inside lanterns dedicated to each of the U.S military branches as dozens of guests gathered to honor veterans at the Revolutionary War site of the Battles of Saratoga.

Lighting the candles (Squiers)

About 60 people assembled at one of the American Revolution's pivotal battle sites on Saturday, November 9, 2024 to pay their respects on the Veterans Day holiday weekend.

The cannon keeps watch (Squiers)

Depicting the nation's earliest veterans, the Saratoga Battle Chapter, SAR Color Guard stood watch as veterans and current service members shared history and heartfelt remarks about Veterans Day.

Color Guard (Squiers)

It was the first public gathering for the holiday since the pandemic which led Saratoga National Historical Park, like other sites, to curtail normal activities.

The Saratoga Battle Chapter, Empire State Society, provided refreshments including cookies and bottled water. The Saratoga Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution provided coffee in addition to entertainment at a display table.

The event brought together several organizations — all dedicated to veterans of today or yesterday — including: Homeward Bound Adirondacks; Albany Stratton VA Medical Center; Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery; Saratoga County Veterans; Sons of the American Revolution; Friends of the NYS Military Museum; Tri-county Vietnam Veterans; The Military Order of the World Wars; Association of the United States Army; and Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.

The Saratoga Battle Chapter Color Guard included past-president and state Color Guard Commander Michael Companion, Vice President Michael Skelly, Registrar Michael Golden, Timothy Butler, and Rob Kelly. Also attending were: Compatriot Pat Festa, who read a history of Veterans Day; Chapter Secretary Brian Haak, Compatriot Jim King; Chapter Chaplain Charles Wheeler Jr.; who planned the chapter's involvement; and Chapter President Edward Munger Jr.

The chapter's display — including the SAR's 250^th Anniversary Logo — presented SAR brochures, membership worksheets and copies of the chapter's quarterly newsletters.

On watch at the display table (Munger)

Several guests stopped by, curious if they'd learned enough of their family history to achieve membership. Some likely will, thanks to making contact with SAR at the event.

And several contacts were made that will help the Saratoga Battle Chapter work towards its mission to keep the sacrifices and triumph of our Revolutionary War-era ancestors in the minds and memories of people today.

The Saratoga Battle Chapter's Color Guard celebrates many Saratoga-based events each year, and the Veterans Day holiday is the newest event on the annual calendar. Next year the chapter will explore options that may include the signature sights, sounds and feelings of cannon and musket fire to celebrate Veterans Day.