The sounds of patriotism echoed on the bank of the Cape Fear River
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The sounds of patriotism echoed on the bank of the Cape Fear River as the daughters of the American Revolution commemorated America’s 250th birthday by unveiling the historic marker honors forgotten patriots of the American Revolution. Many of them were Native and African Americans.
Aukeer Graham and Kamisha Graham paid tribute to their fourth great grandfather Zachariah Jacob Holmes.
“Zacheriah like many who fought in this war endured. He fought in notable battles, was captured as a prisoner of war, and even endured life-threatening injuries,” said Kamisha
DAR Chairman Lynne Ashcraft says the honor is long-overdue.
” You know you think of a patriot with the guy with a riffle over his shoulder walking into battle, but really there’s a lot of people whose stories are never told, and their stories have not been told over the generations,” said Ashcraft.
The event attracted folks like JC Hustis dressed in American Revolutionary war attire.
” In the beginning of the American Revolution they wouldn’t have had the fancy uniforms, they would have had whatever they were wearing whether wise doing something any kinds of shopkeeper or maybe something who is out running in the fields like what this gentleman is wearing right here,” said Hustis.
LeAnn Pierce, Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners says today’s event was eye opening.
“I actually did not know that some of them didn’t even receive their pensions and benefits they were prompt,” said Pierce.
Wilmington mayor Bill Saffo also attended the ceremony. He says that we should continue to honor the rich history in this great area.
“Tremendous history, I love the way that we preserve it and that we honor it, and I just can’t say enough of what the DAR has done for many years in this community,” said Saffo.
