Asheville – Asheville area Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter members placed Betsy Ross flags on the graves of 18th-century American patriots in observance of Independence Day, 2021.
The flags were placed at two area sites – the Revolutionary War monument in Asheville’s Pack Square and the historic Newton Cemetery, also in Asheville. The flags remained on the graves for two weeks and were then collected and stored for future Independence Day observations.
Ceremonies to honor the deceased patriots and the new American nation they served were also conducted at both sites. Sharon Conner, DAR chapter Regent, read the Declaration of Independence at the Pack Square monument and Mike Arnott, SAR chapter president, read the Declaration at the Newton cemetery.
LtCol. Felix Walker SAR chapter Compatriots Jim Marks and Roy Plemmons, respectively, lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the SAR pledge. Ruth Davidson DAR chapter Daughter Becky Wood gave the American’s Creed and Daughter Brenda Canter gave Benediction.
The 2021 grave marking ceremonies continued an established Independence Day tradition of the SAR and DAR chapters. A few days earlier, SAR Compatriots Bill Williams and Mike Arnott had visited 13 cemeteries and placed flags on 23 patriot graves.
Six DAR and SAR members and four spouses, plus local residents and visitors, heard the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the downtown Asheville monument.