Boyertown patriotic organization honors veterans

The Patriotic Order Sons of America, Washington Camp 104 of Boyertown, honored veterans during a rededication ceremony at Cannon Hill Cemetery on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11.

“We are holding the ceremony primarily to dedicate the site to military veterans of the Boyertown area. In the past year, we did some fix-up to the site and placed a plaque of dedication on a cannon base. The site was dedicated in this way from the beginning, but with no statement anywhere on the grounds, we felt it appropriate to rededicate Cannon Hill,” Glenn Werstler, recording secretary, Washington Camp 104, said in a statement.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was Werstler’s address on the history of Washington Camp 104.

Founded in 1847, the Patriotic Order Sons of America is the oldest patriotic organization in the United States. Their motto, “Devotion to God, Country and Order,” reflects the values of the Order and its members.

“Throughout its rich history, the POS of A has stood proudly in supporting our nation, especially the military, while promoting patriotism throughout the land,” according to the organization’s release.

Originating in 1874, Washington Camp 104 of Boyertown was formally chartered in 1886: “For these 137 years stood as a beacon of patriotism in the Boyertown community.”

A primary focus of the Patriotic Order Sons of America service has been the maintenance and beautification of Cannon Hill at the Union Cemetery.

Cannon Hill came into being through the activity of the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. The GAR was formed by veterans of the American Civil War after the conclusion of that conflict. The General George R. Crook Post 597, organized in Boyertown in 1890, used the knoll for meetings and encampments. They installed a Civil War-era cannon on the site and occasionally fired the cannon, especially to commemorate Independence Day.

By 1917, the GAR veterans had grown too old to tend to the site, and the Boyertown Post folded. At that time, having worked with Camp 104 on Decoration Day ceremonies and Independence Day commemorations, Post 597 handed over the site and its cannon to Camp 104 of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

The board of directors of Union Cemetery granted a lease to the Order in 1917. Two additional guns were added in 1938, and Camp 104 has maintained the site for more than a century.

Now, with dwindling numbers, Camp 104 faces the probability of dissolving in Boyertown and merging with another camp.

To finalize its stewardship of Cannon Hill, the Patriotic Order placed a dedicatory plaque on the base of one of the guns, repairs were made to the base of one cannon, and in May 2023 the flagpole was painted and a solar light was installed.

The Patriotic Order Sons of America hopes to provide continuity to the community.

“Cannon Hill has been a community resource for all these years, albeit not a prominent one,” said Werstler. “We took responsibility in 1917 when the GAR could no longer care for it, and as our camp has dwindled, we felt that relinquishing the lease back to the Union Cemetery Trustees was the best way to preserve the area. It only makes sense to grant them ownership of the guns and flagpole as well. If they choose to lease it to another organization, that would be their prerogative.”

“Our hope is that the status of Cannon Hill will not change in the eyes of the community, and as far as our organization is concerned, it will weaken our focus somewhat as we contemplate our next step,” added Werstler.

The ceremony included the presentation of the memorial wreath by the Boyertown Masonic Lodge 741, the Pledge to the Flag led by Scout Troop 503, the Firing of Salute by the Patriotic Order Sons of America Honor Guard, welcome remarks by Boyertown Mayor Lori Carnes, and Veteran’s Day address by Alan Werstler. Music was provided by the Boyertown Alumni Ceremonial Band.

The firing of a cannon closed the ceremony.

Source: Berkshire mont