NWS Yorktown participates in annual Yorktown Day Event

Photo By Max Lonzanida | Yorktown, Va. (October 19, 2023). Members of the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Fifes and Drums march in a parade as part of the annual Yorktown Day event in historic Yorktown, Virginia. The annua event commemorates the Siege of Yorktown where American and French troops defeated the British in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. (National Park Service Photo by Linda Williams).  

YORKTOWN , VA, UNITED STATES

10.21.2023

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

Yorktown, Va. (October 22, 2023) The 242nd anniversary of America’s decisive Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown, Virginia culminated in a spectacular series of commemorative events on Thursday, October 19th onboard Colonial National Historical Park and Historic Yorktown as part of the annual Yorktown Day Event. The annual event commemorates the Siege of Yorktown where American and French troops defeated the British in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. In attendance at the commemorative events were members of the French Military, servicemembers from Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.


The day’s events kicked off in the morning with a sobering and commemorative wreath laying at the French Cemetery onboard Yorktown National Battlefield. The cemetery is the final resting place for 50 French soldiers who perished during the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. The American Friends of Lafayette, along with representatives from other community organizations attended the brief ceremony. Thereafter, attendees and dignitaries converged at the French Memorial, located just off historic Colonial Parkway. Major General Bertrand Jardin, Defense Attaché at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. presided over the ceremony and offered some commemorative remarks during the event. Additionally, members of the Yorktown Fifes and Drums along with a contingent from the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Band performed after several commemorative wreaths were placed.


The day’s commemorative events continued with the much anticipated Yorktown Day parade through historic downtown Yorktown where hundreds of spectators lined the streets. U.S. Army Major General John D. Kline, Commanding General of the Army Center for Initial Military Training onboard Joint Base Langley-Eustis served as the officiant from the VIP reviewing stand. Also in the reviewing stand were representatives from area installations, including U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Scott M. Reed, Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment and U.S. Navy Captain Daniel Patrick, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex. Also in the reviewing stand was Jerri Marr, Superintendent of Colonial National Historical Park; Ambassador Santiago Cabanas, Spanish Ambassador to the United States; and Caroline Monvoisin, French Consul General to the United States among other distinguished guests. The U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps marched in the parade, along with members of the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command Band, area high school marching bands and JROTC detachments, along with various community groups and historical reenactors.


At the conclusion of the parade, visitors and distinguished guests converged on the Yorktown Victory Monument as part of the annual Patriotic Exercises. Attendees stood while the national anthems of France and Spain were played, along with a patriotic rendition of the Star Spangled Banner performed by members of the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Providing remarks at this annual event was Spanish Ambassador, Santiago Cabanas whose remarks highlighted the role that Spain had during the Revolutionary War. This was the first year that the Spanish Ambassador attended; he also unveiled a Spanish flag and new interpretive panel at the Yorktown National Battlefield Visitor Center later that day. Superintendent Jerri Marr of Colonial National Historical Park also offered remarks and honored area middle and high school students. Additionally, Caroline Monvoisin, French Consul General also provided some brief remarks which highlighted the strategic and historical alliance between France and the United States. The event concluded with a thundering artillery salute rendered by Soldiers stationed onboard Fort Eustis, which signaled an end to the day’s commemorative events which highlighted the alliance of France, Spain and the United States which eventually brought an end to the Revolutionary War in Yorktown, Virginia 242 years ago.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2023
• Date Posted: 10.22.2023 18:53
• Story ID: 456284
• Location: YORKTOWN , VA, US