DSDI Represented at Yorktown Victory Day

DSDI Virginia Governor Andy Keller and Thomas Nelson, descendants of Thomas Nelson, Jr., and Kathy Payne, a descendant of John Hart, represented DSDI during Yorktown’s Victory Day celebration. The modern-day observance of Yorktown Day traces its roots to 1922, when the Daughters of the American Revolution began an annual wreath-laying ceremony, which set the tradition upon which the current Yorktown Day is based. Today’s commemorative events are co-sponsored by the Yorktown Day Association, comprised of 13 civic, patriotic and government organizations, and the National Park Service, Colonial National Historical Park.

The official Yorktown Day Parade began at 10:30 a.m. The route followed Yorktown’s Main Street and passed in front of the Monument to Alliance and Victory, erected in 1881 to commemorate the military victory a century before. Included in the parade were representatives of all branches of the U.S. military, fife and drum corps – including The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps – JROTC and NJROTC units, and patriotic organizations.

At 11 a.m., Colonial National Historical Park wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument to Alliance and Victory honored British, French and Canadian forces in memory of those who fought and died during the siege of Yorktown in 1781.

Patriotic exercises commenced at the Monument to Alliance and Victory at 11:15 a.m. with the annual pageant of flags, a colorful display that includes the American and French national colors, the flags of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and the flags of the 13 Yorktown Day Association members.