Dozens gathered to honor the souls who died nameless on the battlefields of Saratoga. The September 21, 2025 gathering marked the 94^th event at the Monument to the Unknown American Dead, where descendants of Patriots lay wreaths in remembrance.

Dedicated in 1931 by the Daughters of the American Revolution of New York State, the "DAR Monument" is the largest in the historic site. It was dedicated to unknown soldiers buried during the pivotal Battles of Saratoga.

Marking a first in decades, or ever ‐ the gathering was blessed with the presence of several youths. Following outreach from Saratoga Battle Chapter Scouts Committee Chairman Compatriot Bill Leforestier, several scouting troops participated in the ceremonies.

Troop 5540, Girl Scouts of the USA, Troop 2790, Girl Scouts of the USA; Troop 2785, Girl Scouts of the USA; and Troop 1073, Boy Scouts of America were all represented at the wreath presentation ‐ many said they intended to return for future events.

Individuals with roles on the program included Cindy Hollowood, Regent, Saratoga Chapter, NSDAR, the Saratoga Battle Chapter, SAR Color Guard; Saratoga Battle Chapter, SAR President Edward Munger Jr.; Saratoga Chapter, DAR Chaplain Diane Davison; Empire State Society, SAR Color Guard Commander Michael Companion; Saratoga Chapter, NSDAR First Vice Regent Jill Litrell; Saratoga National Historical Park Superintendent Leslie Morlock; and Bells Across America Constitution Week Co‐Chair, Saratoga Chapter DAR Corinne Scirocco.

The presence of the Scouts added a well-needed spark of youthful life to the site of the Monument to Monument to the Unknown American Dead. The site ‐ once host to a small grove of trees that offered a welcomed respite from the sun ‐ is in the middle of a renovation project and all the trees are gone.

While there, Chapter President Edward Munger Jr. provided several Scout leaders with an outline of the SAR Youth Video Contest for which the Saratoga Battle Chapter is accepting submissions.

Wreath Laying Participants