Van Cortlandtville Historical Society’s Annual Memorial Service

The Van Cortlandtville Historical Society’s annual memorial service honoring the eight French soldiers who died in that New York community during the Revolutionary War will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2020, outside Old Saint Peter’s Church. French forces used the church as a military hospital in 1781 and 1782 when they were in the area before and after the victory of Generals Washington and Rochambeau over the British in Yorktown, Virginia, in October 1781. The service, continuing a tradition started by the historical society in 2001, will include a background talk, bilingual prayer, musket salute by uniformed reenactors and a mourn arms ceremony. It will be led by Jeff Canning, past president of the society and recording secretary of W3R-US, and Anne de Neuville, treasurer of the society.

Please wear a face covering and observe social distancing because of the coronavirus. Please bring an umbrella to protect yourself against the sun (or rain).