{"id":235793,"date":"2026-07-05T02:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T02:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/235793\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T02:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T02:30:11","slug":"battle-of-wyoming-remembered-on-americas-250th-wilkes-barre-citizens-voice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/235793\/","title":{"rendered":"Battle of Wyoming remembered on America\u2019s 250th \u2013 Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice"},"content":{"rendered":"

WYOMING \u2014 The field before the Wyoming Monument overflowed on a sunbathed Saturday with those seeking to memorialize the Battle of Wyoming on its 248th anniversary, kicking off their celebration of the Fourth of July \u2013 and America\u2019s semiquincentennial.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor it being the 250th anniversary, we really wanted to come and learn a little more about the history of our community.\u201d\u00a0 said Wyoming resident Breah Murray, who came to the ceremony with her husband and two children.<\/p>\n

The commemorative service marking the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming began Saturday at 10 a.m. with a concert from the Wyoming Valley Band, leading into a delivery of the standards by the 28th Division Artillery of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and an invocation from the Rev. Thomas P. Looney, the president of King\u2019s College. William Conyngham, a descendant of descendant of Col. Zebulon Butler, who commanded Patriot forces at the battle, was the master of ceremonies.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s our nation\u2019s 250th celebration,\u201d Al Kircher, a 28-year veteran of the Marine Corps and a member of VFW Post 283 in Kingston, said. \u201cAnd if it weren\u2019t for the people in the Armed Forces, we wouldn\u2019t be here. It\u2019s just a matter of patriotism.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Battle of Wyoming occurred July 3, 1778. Over 300 Americans fighting for Patriot militia\u00a0 were defeated and killed in a Loyalists and Iroquois attack, with some killed after they were taken prisoner.<\/p>\n

Marcella Starr, the president of the Wyoming Monument Association, delivered a welcome address for the ceremony, thanking the host of volunteer groups who work to organize the commemoration each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe continue to hold title to the monument,\u201d Starr said. \u201cAnd we remain caretakers of these hallowed grounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The 24th Connecticut Militia fires the first round of the volley tribute at the conclusion of the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"William<\/p>\n

William Lewis, III places floral tributes at the base of the Wyoming Monument during the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of the American Legion Black Diamond Post 395, Kingston, present the first of dozens of floral tributes to Dr. William Lewis, Jr. during the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The 24th Connecticut Militia fires the second round of the volley tribute at the conclusion of the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of the 28th Division Artillery present the standards during the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Lycoming<\/p>\n

Lycoming College History Department Chair Christopher Pearl delivers the keynote address during the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Wyoming Valley Band, under the direction of bandmaster Donald R. Williams, plays patriotic music during the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The 24th Connecticut Militia fires the third round of the volley tribute at the conclusion of the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 8<\/p>\n

The 24th Connecticut Militia fires the first round of the volley tribute at the conclusion of the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

The 24th Connecticut Militia reenactors gave a volley tribute during the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Gary Snyder, a member of the 24th Connecticut Militia since 2003, said he was inspired to become a reenactor by his family history. Several of Snyder\u2019s ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War, with one, Elias Utt, having fought in and survived the Battle of Wyoming.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people don\u2019t realize the history of this valley,\u201d Snyder said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of misconceptions about the battle, about the area and I like to teach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lycoming College Professor Christopher Pearl, the chair of the college\u2019s history department, delivered the keynote address for the event. He noted that the Wyoming Valley was then contested between Pennsylvanian and Connecticut settlers, as well as patriots and loyalists. He called on attendees to reflect specifically on the struggles of Indigenous peoples and how they were impacted and harmed by the Revolution.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, I want to invite you to think about this place and about this holiday through a slightly different lens \u2013 whose ground, whose independence?\u201d Pearl said.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar planted in 2023 as part of America250PA, grows near the Wyoming Monument during the 148th annual commemorative service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming on Saturday, July 4, 2026. BILL TARUTIS \/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER<\/p>\n

Bob Keiser said he was attending to honor his fifth great-grandfather John Abbott, who also fought in the Battle of Wyoming. While Abbott survived the battle and ensuing massacre, he was killed later in the Revolutionary War.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s important that we come out to events like this, to remember these people,\u201d said Jackie Keiser, Bob\u2019s wife. \u201cTo remember the people who made this country. They were the start of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan Vasquez, whose mother was at the ceremony serving with the National Guard, said he wanted to attend for his family and to reflect on the story of the battle, the Revolutionary War. Wearing an Army t-shirt, Vasquez, a 16 year old from Hazleton, said he planned to eventually join the U.S. Armed Forces.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a bad experience, to come out and just look at what happened, the history of America,\u201d Vasquez said. \u201cI plan to go into the military\u2026and serve our country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jay Moral, also of Hazleton, came to the ceremony with Vasquez as part of a family trip. He said he wanted to attend service because he also had a family member serving in the color guard of the National Guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have so many different freedoms, but here\u2026it gives us an idea of why America\u2019s free,\u201d Moral said. \u201cFreedom is not free\u2026freedom is a light that people die in the dark for.\u201d<\/p>\n

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