DAR rededicates Washington-Braddock road marker

The Great Crossings Chapter NSDAR rededicated the Washington-Braddock Road Marker on July 8. The marker was originally dedicated on July 4, 1932, by the founding members of the chapter.

The marker was removed from its original roadside placement at the Great Crossing Bridge in Somerfield when the new bridge was erected but was never replaced at the site. Great Crossings member Sandra Millin and her husband, Dennis, restored the marker and placed it in Addison, across from the Petersburg Tollhouse, which is owned by the Great Crossings Chapter.

The marker was originally erected as a historical significance of George Washington’s 1753 passage to Ohio, when he crossed the Youghiogheny River naming the ford the “Great Crossing.” Washington crossed the river again in 1755, 1770, and 1784 at the mouth of Braddock Run. Also, it marked the site of General Braddock’s encampments in 1755.

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The Great Crossings Chapter NSDAR rededicated this marker to remember George Washington’s and General Braddock’s footprints as they strategically crossed Somerset County and the role they played in our country’s path to liberty.

Pennsylvania State Regent Marguerite Hogan Fritsch participated in the rededication ceremony, along with Addison Mayor Sam Collins, County Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes, PSSDAR Southwest District Director Susan Matlack, and NSDAR Chapters Fort Necessity, Braddock Trail, National Pike and Pittsburgh. Also participating in the ceremony were members of the Great Glades Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and members from the Old Petersburg-Addison Historical Society.

The Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission is to promote patriotism, education, and historic preservation. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. For more information on how to join, contact Susan Moon, 814-233-5238.

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Fort Necessity DAR recognized for Operation Big Mama

Fort Necessity Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Fayette County received a first place award in the Eastern Division for “Exceptional work by a Chapter” for the DAR Project Patriot Committee's Operation Big Mama. The National DAR presented the award at the SW Pennsylvania District DAR meeting on July 29, in Greensburg.

In 2022, Fort Necessity Chapter hosted Operation Big Mama in support of active military. A total of 355 care packages were sent to three U.S. Naval submarines, USS Key West, the USS Springfield, and the USS Jefferson City, in Guam, for the single enlisted submariners to open on their Halfway Day enjoyment during months-long deployments. The Great Crossings Chapter participated in the statewide Big Mama collection.

Fort Necessity Chapter has further supported the Naval base on Guam by hosting another Project Patriot mission, Operation Typhoon Mama. Typhoon Mawar hit Guam in May and flooding and storm damage especially impacted the single enlisted and young families of the Guam Navy base. A donation of $1,600 was sent to USO Guam by Fort Necessity Chapter to help support those affected, and additional donations more than $100 were made online directly to USO Guam. The National DAR also held a fundraiser following Fort Necessity Chapter’s fundraiser’s start and made a donation to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: DAR rededicates Washington-Braddock road marker