Fort William Henry Veterans Day ceremony honors all who have served

Fort William Henry held its annual Field of Flags Veterans Day ceremony on the hotel lawn Wednesday morning. The Field of Flags, a tradition now in its 11th year, has grown from an initial display of 53 flags to 11,366. Each flag represents a military service member whose name visitors to Fort William Henry have nominated.

“Each flag represents an individual,” said Fort William Henry Museum Operations Director Ken Marks. “It’s someone’s father, someone’s mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a friend, a neighbor. It’s someone whose name we may never have known, but whose service deserves to be remembered. Some served in times of war, others in times of peace. Some returned to home, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. All answered a call to something greater than themselves.”

The ceremony opened with Lake George High School freshman Eden Shambach and Band Director Alex Miller performing the National Anthem. Director of Historic Interpretation Andrew Menzie spoke about the history of military conflict in the Lake George area, explaining that the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, Lake George, Lake Champlain, and surrounding lands were known as “the war path of nations.”

Menzie said. “Native warrior, colonial militiamen, uniformed regular, and camp follower marched, rode, ate, slept, and fought here. It is incumbent upon us to honor the tens of thousands who served, struggled, and sacrificed for their families, their communities, and their causes.”

Fort William Henry Corporation President Sam Luciano spoke, saying, “… to our veterans with us today, I want to first say thank you for serving our country. You have allowed this great country to become the envy of the world.”

Marine Veteran and Director of Adirondack Vets House Jeff Varmette also spoke, thanking Fort William Henry for supporting Adirondack Vets House by regularly holding fundraisers for the organization. Adirondack Vets House of Glens Falls provides long-term housing for veterans facing homelessness.

The Veterans Day ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying and musket salute. A luncheon fundraiser to benefit Adirondack Vets House followed at the Fort William Henry Conference Center.

Featured image: Lake George High student Eden Shambach and Band Director Alexander Miller perform the Star-Spangled Banner at the Fort William Henry’s Veterans Day ceremony.